FRED THE RED WILL SET POGBA FREE

Silva tips Brazil star to bring the best out of United’s maverick Frenchman

2012, 2013 MANCHESTER UNITED new boy Fred is being backed to bring out the best in Paul Pogba next season.

The Brazil star is United’s biggest signing of the summer so far following his £52million switch from Shakhtar Donetsk.

And the midfielder’s mentor and advisor, former Arsenal star and Brazil World Cup winner Gilberto Silva, believes the arrival of Fred can liberate Pogba and allow him to flourish.

Jose Mourinho has struggled to get the best out of the France star since his £89million return to United two years ago, but the arrival of Fred can change that, according to Gilberto.

“I think the combination with Fred can really help Pogba,” said Gilberto.

“With Fred, Pogba can be free to go forward and help the guys up front, as he likes to do. I’m really looking forward to seeing the combination with Fred, Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

“When Pogba came to United as the world’s most expensive player, there was a lot of pressure on him and expectation generated by that.

“You have to be able to handle that, but hopefully Fred’s arrival and the shape they’ll play with him, can help Pogba a lot.

“Matic is a great player as well, so for Fred to be playing alongside guys of this quality, he can take his game to another level.”

In five years at Shakhtar, Fred – currently on World Cup duty in Russia – emerged as one of the most dynamic midfielders in Europe, energetic and industrious, with a superb passing range.

Manchester City tried to sign him in January, but Shakhtar refused to sell and when the Premier League champions switched their attention elsewhere, United swooped.

Comfortable as a defensive midfielder or playmaker, Fred’s versatility will give United options, with Gilberto (above, with Mirror Sport’s David Mcdonnell) hailing his adaptability as one of his key strengths.

“He’s a mixture of a No.6 and a No.8,” said Gilberto, who is working as a pundit at the World Cup on behalf of Entourage Sports, a commercial sports and entertainment agency.

“He can play in both positions and he played in many different roles in his early days, including as a winger.

“He has a lot of qualities, particularly in co-ordinating the game, like a tough Serie A:

Coppa Italia:

2015–16

Italian Supercup: 2013, EFL Cup:

UEFA Europa League: 2016–17 2013 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16

World Cup Best Young Player: 2014

Bravo Award: 2014

UEFA Team of the Year: 2015 FIFA Ballon d’or: 2015 – 5th place FIFA FIFPRO World XI: 2015

ESM Team of the Year: 2015–16 Europa League Squad of the Season:

Europa League Player of the Season: 2016–17