Manchester United given free run by rivals for midfielder

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Kolkata, March 15: Manchester United have reportedly been given a free run to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred by their local rivals Manchester City.

Manchester City were the favourites to sign the £40million-rated Brazilian but reports in England now claim that the Cityzens have cooled their interest in the player.

The 25-year-old looked set for a move to the Etihad as City were reported to see him as the perfect replacement for Fernandinho.

City chiefs met with a delegation from Shakhtar earlier in the season but could not seal a deal which now means United could swoop in.

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho is desperate to add a defensive midfielder to his squad in the summer with Michael Carrick retiring and the future of Marouane Fellaini up in the air.

Shakhtar’s chief executive Sergei Palkin said: “Fred will leave in June. If not to Manchester City, then to Manchester United.

"He is ready for the best championships. In addition to being very good, Fred is very professional.”

Fred seemed certain he was going to join the runaway Premier League leaders at the end of the season.

He told ESPN Brasil: “It existed, yes, and it still exists.

"There was a process in the winter window, and they even made a proposal for Shakhtar, but it didn’t happen because of the Champions League, since I could not play for another team. But there was [an offer], yes.

“[Pep] Guardiola did not talk to me, but there were people from City who talked to my agent.

"Unfortunately it did not work out, but now I’m focused here, out of the window we try to forget and focus on football.

"In the middle of the year, we wait to see what will happen.”