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Agence France-Presse

Brazilian international midfielder Fred completed his move to Manchester United, the team he says are the “biggest club in the world”, for a reported £50 million (US$67 million) on Thursday.
The 25-year-old – who missed Brazil’s opening 1-1 draw with Switzerland at the World Cup because of an ankle injury – gives United manager Jose Mourinho a powerful-looking midfield, with the Brazilian set to slot in alongside Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
“This is the biggest club in the world and I am delighted to be a part of this amazing team,” Fred told the United website.
“To work with Jose Mourinho, who has won so many trophies in his time as a coach, is an opportunity not to be missed.
“I cannot wait to get started and to meet my new teammates. This is a very exciting time for me with my focus now fully on the World Cup with Brazil.”

Ladies and gentlemen: we have an announcement to make...#BemVindoFred #MUFC pic.twitter.com/XG4suufEMu
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 21, 2018

Mourinho, who has also signed Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot from Porto, said Fred would add a missing component to the midfield.
“Fred will complement our other midfielders’ qualities,” said Mourinho. “His creative brain and passing vision will give us another dimension to our game.”
Mourinho is under pressure for his side – who also finished without any silverware last season – to put up a proper title challenge to neighbours Manchester City.
United finished second in the Premier League behind City, but the gap was 19 points to their fierce rivals.
Despite their highest league finish since Alex Ferguson retired, Mourinho was heavily criticised for adopting cautious tactics in several big games as United were often made to look ponderous in comparison to stylish City’s commitment to attack.

Beating City to the signature of Fred, who was a target for the English champions in January, could prove to be a significant first step.
Fred caught the eye in Shakhtar’s run to the last-16 of the Champions League, where the Ukrainians only lost out on away goals to Roma.
A stunning free-kick in the first leg of that tie was a glimpse of what Fred’s talented left foot can produce.
However, he is far more of a creator than goalscorer as his record of just 15 goals in five years at Shakhtar suggests.
United are in need of midfield reinforcements with Michael Carrick retiring and Marouane Fellaini out of contract.

Samba, skills, smile. #BemVindoFred #MUFC pic.twitter.com/hZmR7Xb4nP
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 21, 2018

Mourinho’s task will now be to harness Fred’s passing ability, while also finally getting the best out of Pogba in his third season since an £89 million move from Juventus.
Fred will hope to make the same impact on the Premier League as Brazilian international teammates Willian and Fernandinho, who also arrived in England via spells with Shakhtar.
Handed his debut by Dunga in 2014, Fred’s international career was disrupted after testing positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide during the 2015 Copa America.
He was banned from international football for a year by South America’s governing body CONMEBOL, but only missed four months for Shakhtar as Fifa did not extend the ban to cover all confederations until February 2016.
Fred did not return to the national team until a 3-0 friendly win over Russia in March.


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Manchester United signing Fred will add ‘another dimension’ says Jose Mourinho

Fred poses in his new Manchester United kit. Photo: Twitter/@ManUtd

Brazil's midfielder Fred attends a session training at the Saint Petersburg stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 21, 2018, on the eve of their Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match against Costa Rica. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Brazil’s World Cup-bound Fred set to swap Shakhtar Donetsk for Manchester United as fans and former teammates have their say

Brazil's midfielder Fred vies with Croatia's midfielder Filip Bradaric at Anfield. Photo: AFP

Brazil's midfielder Fred takes part in a training session at Anfield stadium in Liverpool on June 2, 2018, ahead their International friendly football match against Croatia. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF

Sport

Football

Midfielder’s ‘creative brain’ and ‘passing vision’ are hailed by his new manager as United look to close gap on Manchester City next season
