Man Utd midfielder received multiple comments on his Instagram post from Thursday after being at fault for Leicester's opening goal in the 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat; backpass sold goalkeeper Dean Henderson short, with Kelechi Iheanacho taking full advantage
Tuesday 23 March 2021 11:39, UK
Manchester United midfielder Fred has said "we are bigger and better than that" after being racially abused on social media following Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Leicester.
The Brazil international was racially abused in the comments on an Instagram post from March 18, after being at fault for Leicester's first goal in the 3-1 defeat at the King Power Stadium.
Five days later, Instagram confirmed it had removed a number of accounts related to the incident.
Fred's backpass sold goalkeeper Dean Henderson short as United tried to play their way out of defence, with Kelechi Iheanacho taking full advantage to open the scoring after 24 minutes.
Responding to the abuse, the midfielder posted on his Twitter and Instagram accounts on Monday night: "Social media comments filled with hate and, above all, racism: we cannot feed that culture.
"We cannot accept it. We have to fight it always. We are bigger and better than that. Enough!"
It is just the latest in a series of abuse directed at Manchester United players in recent weeks after Anthony Martial was racially abused on social media after the 1-1 draw away to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on February 14.
Martial played 66 minutes before being replaced by Mason Greenwood as United came back to level against West Brom after going behind inside two minutes.
After the game, the France international was subjected to abuse on his Instagram account, with a number of users posting racist messages and symbols on his photos, and using the N-word.
It comes after Martial, along with team-mate Axel Tuanzebe, was abused after the team's loss to Sheffield United on January 27, while Marcus Rashford also posted a statement about comments directed at him in late January.
Sky Sports News have contacted both Instagram and Manchester United for a response, with the latter saying they are aware of the abuse.
Sky Sports is committed to making skysports.com and our channels on social media platforms a place for comment and debate that is free of abuse, hate and profanity.
For more information, please visit: www.skysports.com/hatewontstopus
If you see a reply to Sky Sports posts and/or content with an expression of hate on the basis of race, colour, gender, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexuality, age or class, please copy the URL to the hateful post or screengrab it and email us here.
Online Reporting Form | Kick It Out
Kick It Out is football's equality and inclusion organisation - working throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and campaign for positive change.
