Manchester United’s Fred has praised the role former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva played in securing his summer move to Old Trafford.
The Brazil international sealed a £47 million transfer to the club from Shakhtar Donetsk in June, and he has revealed his agent Gilberto, involved in some major clashes with United between 2003 and 2008, was key to his decision.
“Gilberto was a top midfielder who played for Arsenal,” Fred told United’s website. “But he has a lot of respect for Manchester United, who are obviously a big club here in England.
“He praised the club a lot and, after he was granted the opportunity to speak to Jose Mourinho and other senior figures at United, we made the decision together for me to come here. We decided it would be a good move for me.”
Fred has had his first taste of Premier League football in United’s win over Leicester on the opening day of the season, and in their defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
It has not always been easy for Brazilians to adapt to English football but Fred, 25, has the perfect sounding board if he needs any help.
“Gilberto is a top guy and his advice means a lot to me,” he said. “He played in the same position as I do and he won the Premier League, so I look to him for inspiration, I listen to what he has to say and I take on board what he tells me.
“Gilberto was a top midfielder who played for Arsenal,” Fred told the club’s official website.
“But he has a lot of respect for Manchester United, who are obviously a big club here in England.
“Gilberto is a top guy and his advice means a lot to me.
“He played in the same position as I do and he won the Premier League, so I look to him for inspiration, I listen to what he has to say and I take on board what he tells me.”
Fred is pushing to make his third United start when United host Tottenham on Monday.
Mourinho’s men will be desperate to move on from the 3-2 humbling at Brighton – a match that Alexis Sanchez missed with an unspecified injury.
The United boss said after the loss at Albion they were awaiting test results, but did not think it was a “big thing” as he suggested a one or two-week absence.
Former Arsenal forward Sanchez is attempting to be fit in time for Spurs and posted snapshots of his progress on Instagram.
“Training be back soon,” he said in one post at the Aon Training Complex on Thursday afternoon. “Come on United.”
Later that evening he posted a video with his dogs in the garden, saying: “Gym at home.”