Man United star settled after Mourinho, Guardiola ‘contest’
Fred knows he endured “an awful first season” at Man United after the “contest” between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
Man United signed Fred for around £47m in summer 2018, despite then-manager Mourinho reportedly not actually wanting him.
Guardiola was much more keen to bring in the midfielder, targeting him that January as City offered even more money than Man United had tabled, but Shakhtar Donetsk did not want to sell mid-season.
“I was obviously very happy with the interest of some of the best managers in the world,” Fred told Sky Sports.
“Guardiola is a great manager, but I chose to join another great manager, Mourinho, at Man United.
“It was a contest between two great managers and I could only be delighted with that. It was very important for me, as it would have been for any player. It was something that made me really happy.”
Fred has emerged as a “catalyst” after what he describes as “an awful first season”, and believes his new-found standing in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side is down to consistency of selection.
“I believe the first season was very difficult for me,” Fred said.
“There was the process of settling down here, but also other personal things that were happening in my life, such as the birth of my son.
“So I believe it was a mix of reasons that made me have an awful first season. Anyway, I’m definitely settled in every aspect now.
Fred deserves more than to be Roy Keane’s punchline…
“I’ve been enjoying some good performances and have had the chance to play a long run of games. That was also helpful. I’m delighted with this season.
“I’m now playing well and hopefully I can keep the momentum if the league returns. I just want to give my best for this club, trying to be a key part of the team.
“We have a lot of goals for this and coming seasons – we want to win trophies. Hopefully, we can keep the momentum when football returns.”
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