Fred can be the Red that José Mourinho has been looking for | Nick Miller

The Brazil midfielder, comfortable as destroyer and creator, could form part of a thrilling and penetrative attacking unit

Manchester United have made a habit of getting creative when unveiling signings in recent years. Stormzy was called in to help announce Paul Pogba’s return and Alexis Sánchez played Glory Glory Man United on a grand piano. But, if they do not introduce their expected £52m arrival by dressing him in a Fred the Red suit, their marketing department should take a long hard look at themselves.

On the face of it the Brazilian midfielder Fred – or Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos, to use his Sunday name – seems an ideal addition for United, who confirmed on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk to sign him on a five-year deal. Next season plenty of the challengers for the Premier League title will feature box-to-box midfielders who are destroyers and creators at the same time. Chelsea already have N’Golo Kanté, Naby Keïta is on his way to Liverpool and now United are getting in on the act.

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