Jose Mourinho wants to gazump Manchester City in their pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, claims The Daily Mirror.
The Manchester United manager has decided he is ready to sell Paul Pogba this summer after running out of patience with the club’s record signing.
Mourinho has made overhauling his current midfield options a top priority this summer due to Marouane Fellaini’s expected departure and Michael Carrick’s retirement.
The Red Devils may now have to sign three central midfielders with Pogba on course to make a sensational exit just two years after re-signing for the club.
United have been heavily linked with a move for Fred all summer but appeared to miss out on his signature to rivals City.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side failed to get a deal over the line in January and will face renewed competition from United this summer.
It has already been revealed that Fred’s next destination will be Manchester but it remains to be seen whether he will represent the blue of City or red of United.
The 25-year-old impressed in this season’s Champions League and will now be part of a £50m tug-of-war between the two Manchester clubs.
Of the 81 players that have attempted at least 15 dribbles in the Champions League this season, only Andres Iniesta (88.9%) has a better success rate than Fred (88.5%).
Would welcome him at United if it meant City miss out on a top transfer target, but not if it means Pogba leaves