Arsenal legend backs Fred to come good at Man United

Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva is “confident” that Fred will eventually show his worth at Manchester United.

The Brazilian moved to the Red Devils for £52million from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer but has failed to nail down a starting place in Jose Mourinho’s line-up.

In fact, he has only played 581 minutes in nine appearances for United this campaign – but Silva expects him to come good once he has acclimatised to the Premier League.

“I am confident he will do well at United,” Silva said.

“He is a strong character and he has shown that in the past. There is a huge difference between life in Brazil and in the Ukraine but Fred adapted well. He will also adapt at Old Trafford in time.

“I speak with him regularly and it was always his wish to come to England if he left the Ukraine.

“It takes time to get used to football in England.

“It was hard for me when I first came to Arsenal from Brazil. Everything is different. The pace and the tempo of game. The intensity. It is so different to Brazil.

“For Fred, it will also be different than in the Ukraine.”