Manchester United mean business, sign Brazilian midfielder Fred

Footage of Fred’s performance at Old Trafford have now emerged on YouTube and they show what kind of player Mourinho has signed.

Commenting further, Mourinho admitted to being torn over who he wants to progress deep into the tournament – due to wanting his Red Devils stars to have a rest before the new season. “That means that I am ready for the World Cup”.

“When I signed him at Shakhtar, Taison and Bernard were playing in his position”.

He joined Shakhtar in 2013 from Internacional as a raw 20-year-old and has matured into an elite, world class player in Ukraine.

Fred was handed a two-year ban between July 2015 and July 2017 after he tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide during Copa America.

United’s manager will have seen plenty of the leading nations players up close this season, with the Premier League having a huge representation of players amongst the leading nations.

Instead, the most likely scenario will be Pogba lining up in his favoured left-sided central midfield role with Fred on the right and Nemanja Matic sitting in between them.

United is in need of midfield reinforcements with Michael Carrick retiring and Marouane Fellaini out of contract. He rates youngster Scott McTominay, but Fred is an experienced Champions League player and now a Brazilian worldwide. “I don’t want to be emotional, but I have to be”, said the Man Utd boss.

Another cause for concern could also be the level of the Ukrainian league.

The official announcement is a matter of time: United expects only the arrival of a document from Shakhtar Donetsk to confirm the hiring for about 55 million euros ($ 240 million). He’s played five years for Shakhtar, but still didn’t become their top player.

Journalist Sabino offers another interesting insight.