Fred: We know about Emery
Manchester United midfielder Fred believes new Aston Villa manager Unai Emery makes our hosts a different proposition ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with the Villans.
United travel to the West Midlands for the 14:00 GMT kick-off looking to follow up our successful October period with three points in our first domestic fixture of November.
The match is the first for Villa's new boss, and Fred says his arrival at Villa Park makes the Villans more unpredictable.
Fred: We expect a tough game
Fred discusses our upcoming clash with Aston Villa, their new manager Unai Emery, and United's current form...
“They have time to train [with Emery] a little bit [before Sunday] and we need to expect a good team,” the Brazilian said in an exclusive interview with club media.
“We know about this coach; we lost to him in the Europa League. He is a good coach, and we know they have a good team.
“We expect a tough game, and we need to win this game.”
Despite the threat out hosts pose, Fred maintained that if United reach the standards we have set in recent weeks, he is confident of coming away with a positive result.
“It is not too easy to play against them and we need to be careful of course,” he said. “But we need to keep [performing] again [and] play well, because the last game we play so good, and we need to keep this and put [onto] the pitch.”
But the Reds will have to do so without talisman Bruno Fernandes, who is serving a one-match suspension, due to picking up five Premier League bookings.
Erik: How we'll adapt without Bruno
ArticleThe boss will be without Portuguese maestro Fernandes for Sunday's visit to Villa Park.
Fred is one of the midfielders that Erik Ten Hag may turn to, and he is relishing the battle for a place in the middle of the park.
“We have great players in the midfield in our team,” he said. “It’s a good battle with us, everyone can play.
“But it’s important when you are on the pitch to play well and help bring the victory. That’s the most important.”