In the Premier League era of the super coach, with Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho in place to sell the dream to prospective new signings at Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham, having a track record of personal development is vital.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might not inspire the same managerial mystique as the above trio, he is beginning to build up a back catalogue of individual improvement that can be crucial in convincing players that they can develop at Manchester United just as much as they can under Guardiola at the Etihad and Klopp at Anfield.
For too long since Sir Alex Ferguson retired players have signed for United and then seen their careers stagnate. Many have to take their fair share of personal responsibility but the constant upheaval in the dugout and on the training pitches hasn't been conducive to the kind of consistent approach and enjoyable atmosphere that allows players to improve.
In his first full season at Old Trafford Solskjaer has shown signs he can be the kind of manager who does give players the framework and structure to develop.
Results had begun to match up with development before the campaign was halted, with United unbeaten in 11 games. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were enjoying their best seasons in front of goal at the club, Luke Shaw has improved considerably since returning from injury, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has taken a step forward since August and Scott McTominay has developed into a fine all-round midfielder.
But the biggest individual improver this season, and the greatest success for Solskjaer and his coaching team, is Fred. It seems a strange comment to make about a £52million Brazilian, but now he's thriving in United's midfield it's easy to forget just how hopeless he looked in his first season at Old Trafford.
He was barely trusted by Mourinho and his confidence looked shot to pieces. Even when Solskjaer took over there was no immediate upturn in Fred's game.
Instead, it's been a gradual process, one Solskjaer touched on recently when discussing the improvement in the 27-year-old.
"He's really taken on the challenge this season, he had a tough first season, but ever since we came in we've shown him that we believe in him, he's known that," said Solskjaer.
"He struggled a bit with the language last season, but with [strength and conditioning coach] Martyn Pert coming in, he's fluent in Portuguese, so it's easier for him to communicate.
"Fred's English is better, he's got used to English football, you don't have three or four touches, you have to play much more one and two touch, don't get your studs on the ball, all those little habits that Brazilian players have from a slower type of game."
Those comments highlight an appreciation of what Fred needed to do to improve and how to make him more comfortable in his surroundings.
The results have been rapid this term. Only twice in his first season did he start three or more successive games, with the longest run a stretch of six games in April 2019. Yet when this season was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak the Brazilian had begun 22 successive Premier League games and was a key part of United's strongest midfield.
He's become much more involved in United's play this season, averaging seven more passes per 90 minutes and receiving six more passes per 90 than he did last season.
The conclusion is that Fred's confidence has been restored under Solskjaer and his game has developed, being fine-tuned on the pitches of Carrington for the Premier League. Now he looks like a £52million Brazilian midfielder.
When Solskjaer is trying to convince players to be part of his rebuild this summer, he could point to Fred's example of how players can improve at United.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com