According to a report by ESPN, Manchester United are keen on signing Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred this summer.

A defensive midfielder by trade, Fred, who has a release clause of €60m, has earned rave reviews for his performances in the recently concluded season and at 25 years of age, he has successfully established himself as a formidable midfield presence. He can attack and defend with equal gusto and such a player is the need of the hour at United.

After a forgettable season, it is time for us to move on to newer things. The upcoming summer transfer window will be a crucial period for us and if we are to challenge for the Premier League title and make a significant impact in the Champions League, it is important that we purchase quality players.

As things stand, our midfield department looks incredibly lacklustre. Nemanja Matic has been the only shining grace while Scott McTominay has done just about enough.

However, Ander Herrera has been frustratingly inconsistent and we have all seen how quickly Paul Pogba crumbles when deployed deeper.

Thus, it is clear that we need a player who can partner Matic and act as a glue to link the attackers and defenders. On that front, a move for Fred seems like a step in the right direction.

With Michael Carrick’s retirement, there is a void in the midfield that will need to be dealt with and surely, a player like Fred could go a long way in terms of bolstering our forces.

It remains to be seen if we are able to secure his services but if we do, it will be a great deal for sure.