Debut:
10/08/2018 v Leicester City (H) 2-1 (Premiership)
Farewell:
Transferred to Fenerbache, 13/08/2023, 12.9m
Passed Away:
Biography
Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos, commonly known as Fred, was born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 5 March 1993. An energetic, tenacious and technically capable midfielder, he represented Manchester United between 2018 and 2023, making more than 200 appearances and helping the club win the League Cup.
Fred joined the youth system of Atlético Mineiro at the age of ten. After spending several years with the Belo Horizonte club, he continued his development with Porto Alegre before joining Internacional in 2010.
He progressed into Internacional’s senior side during the 2012 season. Comfortable carrying the ball through midfield and contributing in attacking positions, Fred quickly established himself as one of the club’s most promising young players.
Fred helped Internacional win the Campeonato Gaúcho in both 2012 and 2013. His performances attracted Shakhtar Donetsk, who signed him in June 2013 for a reported fee of approximately €15 million.
He made a remarkable start to his career in Ukraine, scoring twice on his competitive debut as Shakhtar defeated Chornomorets Odesa 3–1 in the Ukrainian Super Cup. Fred developed into an important member of a technically accomplished and strongly Brazilian-influenced Shakhtar team.
Operating either as a defensive midfielder or in a more advanced central role, Fred combined excellent stamina with quick passing and an ability to escape pressure. During five seasons in Ukraine, he helped Shakhtar win three league championships, three Ukrainian Cups and four Super Cups.
His time at Shakhtar included a suspension after testing positive for the prohibited diuretic hydrochlorothiazide while representing Brazil at the 2015 Copa América. Fred maintained that he had not knowingly taken the substance, but he was ultimately suspended from competitive football before returning to rebuild his career.
Fred’s performances in the Champions League attracted interest from several leading European clubs. Manchester United reached an agreement to sign him in June 2018, with the transfer officially completed after Brazil’s participation in the World Cup. The fee was reported at approximately £47 million.
He made his United debut on 10 August 2018, starting alongside Paul Pogba and Andreas Pereira as José Mourinho’s side defeated Leicester City 2–1 at Old Trafford. Fred scored his first goal for the club the following month in a 1–1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
His first season in England proved challenging. Fred required time to adjust to the Premier League’s speed and physical demands, while Mourinho used him only intermittently. Following Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s appointment, he began to receive more opportunities.
Fred started both legs of United’s memorable Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. His energy and determination were especially important in the second leg at the Parc des Princes, where an injury-depleted United side overturned a two-goal deficit and advanced on away goals.
The 2019/20 campaign represented his most significant breakthrough at Old Trafford. Injuries to Pogba and Scott McTominay allowed Fred to establish himself as a regular starter, and his aggressive pressing and improved use of the ball made him one of United’s most consistent performers.
He made 48 appearances during the season and scored twice in a 5–0 Europa League victory over Club Brugge. Fred helped United finish third in the Premier League and reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
During the following campaign, he frequently formed a hardworking midfield partnership with McTominay. The pair became informally known as “McFred” and were regularly selected in important matches because of their mobility, defensive effort and willingness to press opponents.
Fred experienced a difficult evening against Paris Saint-Germain in December 2020. Having escaped dismissal following a first-half confrontation, he was eventually sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Despite occasional disciplinary and positional errors, his intensity remained valuable to Solskjær’s side.
He made 48 appearances during 2020/21 as United finished second in the Premier League and reached the Europa League final. Fred appeared as a substitute during the final against Villarreal, which finished 1–1 before the Spanish club won an extended penalty shootout.
The Brazilian enjoyed his most productive Premier League season in 2021/22, scoring four league goals. These included a superb winner against Crystal Palace in Ralf Rangnick’s first match as interim manager and an important equaliser during a 3–2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Fred’s position changed following Erik ten Hag’s appointment in 2022. The arrival of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen meant he was no longer an automatic starter, but he remained a valuable and enthusiastic squad member.
He made 56 appearances in all competitions during the 2022/23 season, although many came from the substitutes’ bench. Fred produced one of his finest United performances against Barcelona in the Europa League knockout play-off.
After United drew 2–2 at the Camp Nou, Fred scored the equalising goal in the return match at Old Trafford on 23 February 2023. Antony added the winner as United defeated Barcelona 2–1 and advanced 4–3 on aggregate.
Three days later, Fred appeared as a substitute in the League Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley. Goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford secured a 2–0 victory, giving Fred his first major trophy with Manchester United.
He also scored in an FA Cup victory over West Ham United and contributed as United reached another Wembley final. Fred appeared as a substitute in the 2023 FA Cup final, but Manchester City won 2–1.
Fred left Manchester United in August 2023 and joined Turkish club Fenerbahçe. The initial transfer fee was reported at approximately €10 million, with additional payments potentially increasing the final value of the agreement.
In total, Fred made 213 competitive appearances and scored 14 goals for Manchester United. His record comprised 139 Premier League appearances, 26 in the Europa League, 18 in the FA Cup, 16 in the Champions League and 14 in the League Cup.
Fred quickly became an important player at Fenerbahçe. His energy, ball progression and ability to connect midfield with attack made a noticeable difference to the Turkish side, while he later assumed additional leadership responsibility within the squad.
At international level, Fred made his senior Brazil debut against Turkey in November 2014. He was selected for the 2015 Copa América and included in Brazil’s squad for the 2018 World Cup, although an injury suffered shortly before the tournament prevented him from appearing.
He returned to the international side and played an important role as Brazil reached the 2021 Copa América final. Fred also represented his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, appearing four times as Brazil reached the quarter-finals. He completed that tournament with 32 senior international appearances.
Fred divided opinion at times during his Manchester United career, but his commitment was never in question. He played with enthusiasm, covered enormous distances and was capable of disrupting opponents through relentless pressing. Although not always the most composed midfielder, his personality, work rate and willingness to accept different roles made him a popular figure among teammates and many supporters.
His decisive goal against Barcelona and contribution to the 2023 League Cup triumph provided fitting highlights near the end of his Old Trafford career. With 213 appearances, Fred departed as the most frequently used Brazilian player in Manchester United history at that time.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 18', Marcus Rashford 25', Jan Bednarek 34' (o.g.), Edinson Cavani 39', Anthony Martial 69', 90', Scott McTominay 71', Bruno Fernandes 87' (pen), Daniel James 90'+3
