EXCLUSIVE
weak link
Troy Deeney explained how Watford targeted Fred as Manchester United’s potential weak link last season.
The midfielder started ahead of Paul Pogba in United’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, which they won 2-1.
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New talkSPORT Breakfast signing, and Watford striker, Deeney insists the Brazilian is a hugely talented player.
But he has revealed how teams can look to exploit his tendency to take lots of touches on the ball.
In the two games between Watford and Man United last season, the Hornets won 2-0 at Vicarage Road, with Deeney scoring a penalty, while they lost 3-0 at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture.
Deeney told talkSPORT: “Whenever you play against Fred - we certainly did it - you let him get it.
"He has to take three or four touches. He doesn’t know how to do one or two touches.
“Anyone who watches his game will know when he gets it facing the wrong way, turns, turns, chops, chops.
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“Three or four times a game he will give you the ball. Anyone who studies football will know that.
“You have that one person who is the trigger and you are waiting for it and bounce off him.”
Fred was a £47million signing in June 2018 during Jose Mourinho’s reign at Manchester United.
His form has been inconsistent but has played a key role for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, making 48 appearances in all competitions last season.