The Brazilian has been impressive so far
Manchester United completed the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred for a fee in the region of £52.5 million during the transfer window. He signed a five-year deal which includes a club option for a further 12 months upon its expiry.
The Red Devils reached an agreement to sign the Brazil International two weeks after he underwent a medical at United’s AON Training Complex less than 24 hours after turning out for the Selecao in their pre-tournament friendly win over Croatia at Anfield.
Jose Mourinho was keeping tabs on the 25 year old since January after the player impressed him with his consistent performances in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola was also interested in signing him back in January but the player snubbed them to join United.
Fred’s representative Gilberto Silva has revealed that the Ukrainian side rejected Pep Guardiola’s side as they were reluctant to see their star midfielder leave until the summer.
“About Manchester City, he had the chance to leave in January,” Gilberto Silva told UOL as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“But Shakhtar vetoed, there was no conversation. A good offer arrived, even bigger than the one from now. But Shakhtar understood that he was the most important player of the club.
“They didn’t want to negotiate, vetoed the exit. We did the planning which was to leave in the summer and he bought the idea. Everything we talked about, he understood the process, bought the idea.
“It was cool, because the conduct before Shakhtar within the negotiation was very correct. Professional conduct on our part and the part of him also, for not having lost his performance [after the failed move to Manchester City].
“It was a negotiation opportunity that was passing. We explained to him and we said the club would not let him go. We could fight, but I said we wanted to do it differently.”
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