Ex-Shakhtar coach: Fred will go to Man City

Ian Watson

Former Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu says in-demand midfielder Fred will join Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola has been trailing the Brazil international but his interest was reportedly complicated by Man Utd joining the race.

Despite reports City were willing to make a move in January to head off the threat from United, Fred remains at Shakhtar.

But Lucescu, who left Shakhtar in 2016 and is now in charge of the Romania national team, belives City will eventually get their man.

He said: “Shakhtar Donetsk’s best player is Fred in the centre of midfield.

“He was a bit anarchic on the left. I moved him in front of the defence.

“He will go to City like Fernandinho before him.”