Fred on the Brink of Old Trafford Move
It appears many of the top Premier League clubs are aiming to conduct their business in the transfer market as soon as possible this summer. With the World Cup just days away, both clubs and players want to have to their futures decided before the tournament begins.
With Brazil heading to the World Cup as one of the favourites to lift the trophy, their central midfielder, Fred, is on the brink of sealing a big money move to Manchester United. If reports are to be believed, the Shakhtar Donetsk man will have a medical before the start of the World Cup in Russia in a bid to complete the £52 million move.
United or City?
The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with Manchester City over the past six months but it appears as though the Red Devils have stolen a match on their city rivals.
Following the retirement of Michael Carrick, it seems Jose Mourinho is keen to freshen up the midfield area of the team, which faced some criticism last season. Nemanja Matic was the only player who emerged from the campaign with any credit although young Scott McTominay enjoyed a break-through season.
With Paul Pogba showing flashes of his brilliance but remaining inconsistent and Ander Herrera seemingly reserved for matches which involve specific instruction for the Spaniard, there is not a great deal to call upon for Mourinho.
A quote from last season, when Mourinho said “a team without a Brazilian isn’t a team” should have alerted fans to the fact the Portuguese was in the market for a Brazilian player but Fred does not fall into the creative flair players usually associated with Brazil.
Fred played well for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League last season and Manchester City saw him up close as they were drawn in the same group. It seemed the player did enough to impress Pep Guardiola but it’s the Red Devils who have made the first move for the former Internacional midfielder.
Turning Defence into Attack
If he signs, what will Fred bring to Manchester United?
Many onlookers have compared his style of play to N’Golo Kante of Chelsea. Fred is a technically gifted defensive midfielder, who can break up the play but is also very comfortable going forward with the ball. There are thoughts he can often get swept up in the attacking play and neglect his defensive duties but with Matic playing alongside him in the Manchester United engine room, Fred may have more license to get forward.
Manchester United will have nightmares when they think about the last time the club signed a defensive midfielder from Brazil. Kleberson joined from Atletico Paranaense in 2003 but failed to make the grade. If Fred is to join the club, the Old Trafford faithful will be hoping for better performances than his compatriot produced.