Football news - Jose Mourinho: Fred won't play until Manchester United defend better

The 25-year-old has only started six Premier League games since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk and was left out of the squad entirely for the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in midweek.

Asked why Fred had disappeared from view in his weekly press conference on Friday, Mourinho said that the Brazil international could not expect to feature heavily while United’s defensive record remains so poor.

After 15 matches in the Premier league, United have already conceded 25 goals – only the league’s five bottom clubs have a worse record.

"When the team is defensively stronger and doesn't need people in midfield to give balance to the team, rather than being involved in creation and attacking dynamically, I think the horizons for Fred change completely," Mourinho said.

“Step by step; you have also other players in other clubs that needed their time and you have some of them that played even less than what Fred is playing.”