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Manchester United suffered their seventh defeat in their previous nine matches in all competitions as they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The hosts would have been hoping to put a major dent in their arch-rivals' Premier League title hopes, but instead they put in something of a miserable performance at both ends of the pitch.

It was more respectable than the weekend display against Everton, but not much better in all honesty as they struggled in front of goal when they did get chances and conceded two preventable goals – David De Gea must take a chunk of the blame for those.

One of the players that has flattered to deceive for the majority of the campaign is summer addition Fred, who once again struggled against the English top-flight holders on Wednesday night.

He struggled to keep the ball when he was in possession of it, and was predictably shown up by the likes of Bernardo Silva and David Silva in central areas.

Despite his big price tag and the fact that he has been something of a regular in the starting XI under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to date, it remains to be seen whether he will be in the same boat next season following the summer transfer window.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer consoles midfielder Fred after Manchester City defeat

An image of the Norwegian manager and the 26-year-old post-match indicated just what he thinks of the Brazilian right now, as he consoled him and gave him a pat on the back.

United fans may not be impressed with him, but the photo suggests that he still very much has the backing of his boss during what is a difficult for all of United's players.