Fred was Manchester United’s first 2018 summer signing and the only first team caliber player they acquired in what was a very disappointing transfer window. The Brazilian was very impressive during his five year spell at Shakhtar Donetsk, but he’s gotten off to a very slow start at MUFC.
Given his expensive price tag, reported to be £53 million (€59m/$69m), fans expected much more than what he has shown thus far. But perhaps things are on the upswing though as he broke through for his first goal in a Red Devils shirt last week.
After accomplishing the scoring strike, the only one his side would get in a 1-1 draw at home versus Wolverhampton Wanderers, he celebrated by putting the ball underneath his shirt and his thumb in his mouth.
His simulation of pregnancy and a gesture associated with babies was an homage to his soon to be born son.
“I was really happy,” Fred told the club’s official website.
“I even had the chance to dedicate it to my son that will be born soon. This goal was really important to me and I hope is the first of many.”
“I’m still adapting to many things and in the previous games I wasn’t playing as well as I was playing before I joined the club. Now I feel much better and to be able to score my first goal was really amazing.”
Breaking out of a scoring drought is like clearing a psychological and emotional hurdle for a footballer, and maybe that will be the impetus Fred needs to get it going at Old Trafford. The next chance comes tomorrow at struggling West Ham United.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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