Manchester United midfielder Fred could miss next Thursday’s crunch Premier League clash against Chelsea.
According to The Telegraph, the Brazilian is in a ‘frantic race’ to be available for the mid-week meeting at Old Trafford.
Fred probably would’ve been played the fixture had the league not rescheduled it to an earlier date.
Thomas Tuchel and Ralf Rangnick’s men were meant to challenge each other on the 15th of May.
However, because of Chelsea’s involvement in the FA Cup final, the match has now moved forward quite considerably.
This probably isn’t ideal for either side, considering the already congested schedule on their respective agendas.
United take on Liverpool away from home this evening and then travel to Arsenal on the weekend before hosting the Blues.
They could be without one of Rangnick’s favoured players for each of the huge matches with potentially massive implications in the race for a Champions League spot.
Fred the red in bed right now
Only five Red Devils have played more times under the interim manager than Fred this season.
The 29-year-old has also been one of the team’s best performers since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped aside in November.
He has scored three times and provided four assists in 18 appearances following Solskjaer’s sacking.
Only Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo have contributed more goals in that period.
Which makes Fred’s potential omission from the Chelsea contest even more damaging to United’s chances of reaching the top four.
He suffered a hip flexor injury in the defeat to Everton 10 days ago and will almost certainly miss tonight’s trip to Anfield.
Rangnick might have little choice but to rush the £52m (Sky) signing from Shakhtar Donetsk back before his squad face the European champions.
If he is absent, United may be required to call upon the midfield duo of Paul Pogba and one other, as Scott McTominay is also currently on the treatment table.
Chelsea’s injury list is only limited to Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson and Mateo Kovacic at the moment.
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