Manchester United are reportedly looking to reward Fred with a brand new long-term contract following an impressive start to the season.
According to a report by Manchester Evening News, Fred could be next in line to be handed a new deal by Manchester United. The Premier League heavyweights currently have the Brazilian midfielder tied down to a contract running through to the summer of 2023, while having an option to extend it by a further year.
Fred joined Manchester United from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018 in a deal worth around €59 million. The 27-year-old arrived at Old Trafford on the back of a superb stint in Ukraine, which had created a lot of hype around him while attracting Manchester City among other suitors before the Red Devils secured his services.
Fred, though, struggled in his maiden campaign at Manchester United, struggling to settle into his new surroundings; so much so, that there were murmurs of a possible exit last year. However, upon the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Brazilian international steadily improved and has gradually grown into the role of being a midfield mainstay for the English giants.
At the onset of the 2020/21 season, Fred seems to have usurped Nemanja Matic as the first-choice defensive midfielder for Manchester United, appearing in all but two games so far this term. This solid run of form is now set to earn the player a brand new contract with the club.
Under the tutelage of Solskjaer, Manchester United have had the tendency to quickly reward their best performers with bumper deals in order to secure their future, although this has also resulted in some ill-advised contract renewals – namely to Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Andreas Pereira. But, Fred fits more in the category of the Marcus Rashfords and Anthony Martials of the first-team.
Hence, it is hardly surprising that Manchester United now want to tie down a player who is a vital cog in Solskjaer’s squad, as was again reflected against Istanbul Basaksehir this week. The report suggests that United effectively have Fred’s future secured till the summer of 2024, owing to the one-year option they embed in the contracts of every player they sign.
However, it seems like a new long-term deal is on the horizon for Fred, likely with a pay raise as well. Judging by his growth trajectory in the past 18 months or so, the decision is unlikely to be an unfounded one and it remains to be seen how quickly Manchester United can reach an agreement with Fred over a renewal.