BRAZIL INTERNATIONAL FRED chose Manchester United ahead of several other top clubs based on the advice of his compatriot and agent Gilberto Silva, the player said on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old midfielder — United’s major signing in a close season transfer market that left manager Jose Mourinho underwhelmed — said Silva, a former Arsenal player, felt ‘The Red Devils’ were the best fit for him.
Fred, who moved to United from Ukrainian side Shakhthar Donetsk for £47 million (€52 million), said once Silva spoke with Mourinho, he decided they were the team to go for rather than the likes of Manchester City, French champions Paris Saint Germain or some Chinese clubs who were interested.
“He (Silva) 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 told the club website.
Fred says 41-year-old Silva — a member of Arsenal’s ’Invincibles’ side in the 2003/04 campaign and also a member of the Brazil side that won the 2002 World Cup — is an invaluable part of his management team because of his experience in England.
“Gilberto is a top guy and his advice means a lot to me,” said Fred.
“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.”
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Hopefully he gets more involved
@Shawn: Why all other comments dont want JS involved he is ireland’s greatest player
@Shawn: irelands geatest player – really???
A thug who a let a group of 30 plus men down with a selfish rant pre world cup. Sexton is an overhyped guy who flattered to deceive more often than not. It was all about him: this cost a great team progress in Rwc 2023. In my eyes nothing more than an arrogant selfish person. Great people act with substance and integrity as a constant . Thinking McBride, Gibson, O Driscoll, kyle etc – great players and gentlemen. Sexton well below this ceiling
@JJB: You’re probably wrong.
@JJB: Yes really and he is not a thug and he didnt cost us anything really bad form from u
@Fagin Strauss: Never understand the hate irish players get from so called irish fans i support all 4 irish sides no hate for anyone
This continuall genuflecting to JS is mind blowing to me. He acted as a thug before the RwC 2023 by attacking the ref at CC final. Totally selfish and reprehensible act that fed through on how refs dealt with us in the tournament (predictably so) . Now place kick mentor ! What, on how to miss the big kicks in the clutch. The reverence placed on this guy is totally overdone. Good player over the years, not denying that. A true great – I don’t think so. That mantle requires decent abd respectful behaviour as a constant. His obsession with self cost a great Irish team progression in the RwC 2033 imo.
@JJB: I agree- smacks of “jobs for the boys”. Does he have the personality to develop up and coming young out halves in particular those outside Leinster? Who knows – he should get more experience in a coaching environment – maybe cut his teeth in grass roots rugby at club level and if he wants to work his way up.
@JJB: Yeah,fair point. Why would these inexperienced players want advice from a world player of the year winner aka the best player in the world? He obviously doesn’t have a clue. “A true great”? Very clearly and obviously according to the best of the best experts. But let’s take a clown criticizing genuflecting to Sexton seriously, he is very wise. Shut the f up you simpleton.
@Fagin Strauss: such bravery behind a keyboard with this name calling. A true disciple of the great JS. Very much in his play book. An Irish captain took the door of the hinges to verbally assualt a referee in world cup year and that is ok. Decent and respectful behaviour? To me, it is thuggery that had a cost. Being a true great involves character as well as performance. On the latter, missing a simple kick in a RWC you hijacked as your tournament hardly meets the greatest status either.
Hopefully it’s a very short term involvement JS has retired and he should leave the field to those that have come after him after all every player only has a loan of the jersey
@KIERAN O’DWYER: And every coach? Not ex players, no? Can’t wait for the faeries to win the league.