Erik ten Hag should drop “moaning” Bruno Fernandes for Man Utd team-mate Fred, says former Red Devils defender Paul Parker.
After winning four Premier League matches in a row before the international break, Man Utd were brought back down to earth last Sunday as they lost 6-3 against arch-rivals Man City.
Man Utd did bounce back in midweek in a 3-2 victory over Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League but only after a first-half scare that saw them go in at the break 1-0 down.
Fernandes has been disappointing so far this term with the Portugal international only producing one goal and one assist in ten appearances in all competitions.
He and Ronaldo were both criticised last season for their body language and moaning on the pitch and now former Man Utd defender Parker wants to see him dropped for Fred.
“Fred has been a super pro at United,” Parker told BeMyBet. “He doesn’t moan and has never really been a problem.
“At this moment in time, he deserves the opportunity to play. He is a really good player.
“In my opinion, he should play instead of Fernandes who has been moaning and waving his arms at his team-mates all the time.
“With Fred on the pitch, you will get someone who is quicker across the floor, someone who is very clever in how he defends. He puts people under pressure.
“You’ve got to say to yourself, as a manager, he can’t be doing that bad if he is playing regularly for Brazil.”
Casemiro is expected to start in the Premier League for the first time this weekend when Man Utd travel to Everton on Sunday.
Parker added: “I think Erik ten Hag has realised now that he has to start with Casemiro. He needs his experience of being involved in big games and controlling the midfield, the tempo, keeping the ball.
“He has got better and better in recent weeks so I think it’s come to a point for him to start.
“People keep talking about how well Scott McTominay is doing but that’s because he hasn’t been that good previously.”
On United’s clash with Everton, Parker continued: “If you are going to make a prediction based on form, you have got to go with Everton. But I think if you look at the games Everton have played, the way they have gone about it, you still have to say Manchester United.
“United need to be composed against Everton. It might be a game maybe not to play Fernandes because he is the one player who isn’t composed.
“But I would say that Manchester United are the favourites. On paper they’re the better team, they just need to be brave.”
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