FRED THE RED WILL SET POGBA FREE
Silva tips Brazil star to bring the best out of United’s maverick Frenchman
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 playmaker. He’s a real box-tobox midfielder.
“He’s a very focused person and I’ve been really impressed by his mentality.
“But he has to be patient and work even harder in order to adapt, as everything is going to be different – more pressure and expectations.”
Brazilians have had mixed fortunes at Old Trafford. Kleberson flopped, while Anderson never fulfilled his potential, with Rafael and Fabio da Silva enjoying early success before moving on.
But Gilberto is convinced Fred – who is learning English and has a tutor lined up in Manchester – is going to be a hit at United. “When Kleberson went to United, I think he was too shy and introverted to play for such a big club and he struggled with injuries,” said Gilberto.
“And with Anderson, it was quite sad for me that he couldn’t adapt at United and stay longer at the club.
“If you find it difficult to adapt, you have to work at it, because there are always challenges wherever you go.
“But with the experience he already has of playing abroad, five years in Ukraine and playing in the Champions League, Fred has an advantage.
“When we went to Manchester to complete the move, he asked the club to have a teacher, not a translator. This is a good sign, not to have a translator on a daily basis, which is the easy option.
“He’s eager to learn the language, the culture, the way the club is – everything.
“I don’t see any problem with him adapting to playing in England and being a success at United.”