Liverpool midfielder Fabinho believes his Brazil team-mate Fred has come in for an unfair share of heavy criticism amid Manchester United's recent struggles.
The Red Devils are second bottom of the embryonic Premier League table after losing their opening two matches.
Having been outplayed in a 2-1 home loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, United were thrashed 4-0 at Brentford on a chastening day for new boss Erik ten Hag.
Fred has long come in for criticism from United fans and that has only increased after the club's dismal start to the season.
He and Fabinho are likely to come up against each other when Liverpool visit Old Trafford on Monday, and Fabinho thinks his compatriot deserves more respect from United supporters.
"Sometimes I don't really understand the criticism of Fred because he is a regular player, he always plays good football," Fabinho said in the Telegraph.
"In general Manchester United have not been successful in the last seasons so you try to find a solution or you try to put the fault on some of the players and sometimes I think Fred is that player.
"But he is a good player. In the national team, he is always a starter, he always plays good and, yes, sometimes the player needs a little bit more confidence to play good.
"Last season he played really good football, maybe he was one of the best United players. This season United didn't start really good but I hope Fred will play good and United will stay playing like this."
Fred will soon be joined at United by another Brazil international after the Red Devils announced on Friday they had agreed a deal with Real Madrid for the transfer of Casemiro.
Fabinho played with Casemiro for Madrid's second team 10 years ago and believes the 30-year-old is well equipped to deal with the demands of English football.
"Of course, he will be a good signing," Fabinho said. "Casemiro is a smart guy, he is a good player, he is strong, he is good in the air, so it will not be hard for him to adapt to the Premier League."
