Five things you didn't know about Fred as Brazilian nears Man United transfer

Aditya Devavrat 18:11 05/06/2018
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  • Fred is set to sign for Manchester United.

    Manchester United are close to completing a move for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder, Fred.

    The 25-year-old has been on the radar of Europe’s elite after impressing in the Champions League this season, but United have beaten their rivals to secure his signature.

    Here are five things to know about Fred.

    SCORED FIRST GOAL AGAINST HERO RONALDINHO 

    Fred has been converted to a deeper midfield player in recent seasons, but early in his career, he was viewed as an attacking player. Back in Brazil, when he moved from his first club Atletico Mineiro to Internacional, his new club deployed him as a winger or an attacking midfielder. Given that position, and that when he stared off at Mineiro, Ronaldinho was also at the club, it’s no surprise that the Brazil icon was Fred’s hero.

    In a twist of fate, Fred’s first professional goal came against his idol, as he scored forInternacional against Ronaldinho’s Atletico Mineiro.

    Like many Brazilians of his generation, Fred idolised Ronaldinho.

    Like many Brazilians of his generation, Fred idolised Ronaldinho.

    INTERNATIONAL BAN

    While on Brazil duty at Copa America 2015, Fred tested positive for the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide, an agent that can be used to mask other substances.

    The Brazilian was given a backdated one-year ban in 2016, initially only for international matches, before FIFA extended it so he missed four months of the Ukrainian season. Fred denies any wrongdoing, and says the experience of that time helped him grow as a footballer and person.

    Fred was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance at the 2015 Copa America.

    Fred was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance at the 2015 Copa America.

    FERNANDINHO REPLACEMENT – BUT ONLY ONCE

    Fred was recruited to Donetsk in 2013 after the Ukraine club sold fellow Brazilian Fernandinho to Manchester City. He was viewed as a natural replacement, and indeed has thrived in a similar role, playing as a pivot and directing play – a “conductor”, as he calls himself.

    He was so close to replacing Fernandinho again. The City midfielder is 33 now, and Pep Guardiola had eyed Fred as the man to step into his shoes, so much so that there was a rather public courtship in December after City and Donetsk played each other in the Champions League.

    Shakhtar refused to sell their player in January, however, and after that, United stole a march on their neighbours.

    Fred being unveiled at Donetsk in 2013. He was signed as a Fernandinho replacement.

    Fred being unveiled at Donetsk in 2013. He was signed as a Fernandinho replacement.

    A MAN FOR ALL POSITIONS

    Apart from his “natural Brazilian talent”, which Jose Mourinho says is a good quality to have in any team, what will endear Fred to his new manager the most is his versatility.

    The 25-year-old has established himself as a central midfielder now, but during his career he’s played as a winger, attacking midfielder, and left-back. Mourinho will no doubt want to use Fred in his preferred position as much as possible, but if ever there’s an injury crisis, that versatility could come in handy.

    Fred has played in many different positions during his career.

    Fred has played in many different positions during his career.

    FROM ONE PORTUGUESE TO ANOTHER

    It’s not necessarily a guarantee of success under Mourinho, but one of his compatriots has got the best out of Fred with a fairly Jose-esque move.

    Paulo Fonseca was the first to realise the Brazilian could be the hub of a team, and giving him more responsibility and playing him in a deeper position has unlocked Fred’s potential.

    Now, he’ll be playing under a manager with a similar track record with midfielders. Paul Pogba‘s struggles aside, Mourinho is the manager who’s got the best out of players as varied as Wesley Sneijder, Mesut Ozil, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, and Nemanja Matic. Fred looks to be in good hands.

    Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca has unlocked Fred's potential.

    Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca has unlocked Fred’s potential.

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