Manchester United are reportedly plotting a January swoop for Shakhtar Donetsk superstar Fred in order to beef up the options in the middle of the park.
According to The Mirror, the January transfer window is likely to bring in a window of heavy change at Old Trafford, as far as the roster is concerned. Jose Mourinho is willing to part with some of the midfield options who are yet to sign a new deal and are eyeing a move for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred.
The report entails that Manchester United have agreed to offload Marouane Fellaini to Besiktas in an £8 million move to create space within the roster, especially after instructions from the Board that the manager must first clear the deadwood before bringing in further additions.
Fellaini is not the only player thought to be on the move in January, with players like Ander Herrera and Juan Mata among other midfielders who could be allowed to leave if they choose to not sign an extension at Old Trafford. And Fred is among the many options being looked at by Mourinho as a potential January addition.
THE MIRROR:
Shakhtar midfielder #Fred (24) is Manchester United boss José Mourinho’s current midfield target. pic.twitter.com/pFcARZfTpo
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) November 12, 2017
Into his fifth season at Shakhtar, Fred has, in due course of his career at the club, also managed to make his senior debut for Brazil. The 24-year-old may not be one of the best players in terms of creativity but his tenacity and presence in the middle of the park is reassuring for the side he takes the field, a very important ability to have in every squad.
Manchester United may be set for a heavy shakeup in midfield come January, with some or maybe all of Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini set to depart the club. The trio are yet to sign an extension on their respective current deals and are attracting interest from other clubs.
Mourinho has been ordered by the United hierarchy to sell before adding any more players to his squad, which could see him offload one or more of the aforementioned names. According to the report, an agreement has already been reached with Besiktas to allow Fellaini to join the Turkish side in January for £8 million.
Juan Mata and Ander Herrera on the other hand are both being linked with a return to Spain and it would be interesting to see whether they end up staying at United beyond the January transfer window.
