Brazilian midfielder Fred has paid tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s grace and understanding, after the Manchester United manager permitted him time off to get married earlier this summer.
However, when the Tour 2019 group was later announced on 7 July, Fred was a notable omission, for family reasons, and it later transpired that was due at a pre-booked event… his wedding.
After tying the knot in Brazil with his long-term partner, our former Shakhtar Donetsk man quickly linked up with Solskjaer and United in Singapore to resume his pre-season preparations.
During an interview that was conducted in Asia that week, for the September edition of Inside United magazine, Fred expressed his infinite gratitude towards Ole and his decision to permit leave.
“I had a chat with Mr Ole and he was cool for being so understanding. He was really attentive to my needs and I was allowed to come out of training to go on and get married."
“I’m really happy to have got married and, thanks to Manchester United, I was able to get my whole family together with my wife on the day,”Fred explained to our monthly magazine, which is available to order online. “That was a really important day for me, for all of us, and I’m very happy.
“I had a chat with Mr Ole and he was cool for being so understanding. He was really attentive to my needs and I was allowed to come out of training to go on and get married. I did end up joining the team a bit late [on tour], but I was already training beforehand, so I’m in shape.”
Yet his performances improved as the campaign went on and he earned praise from fans late on, particularly after his outings against Paris Saint-Germain in France and Arsenal in north London.
After missing the two pre-season wins against Perth Glory and Leeds United, Fred appeared in all four of the following victories over Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Kristiansund and AC Milan.
"I’ve talked to the manager and backroom staff, and this season is going to be better than last season. I’m sure it is going to be very successful."
“My first season was a bit difficult,”he said. “The first year is always a little bit difficult, a year of adaptation, and, moreover, we had a season that wasn’t too strong in terms of the Premier League.
“But now I’m more used to the league and I’ve been working hard. I’ve talked to the manager and backroom staff, and this season is going to be better than last season. I’m sure it is going to be very successful.”
“I’m really happy with the affection shown to me by the fans and I feel immense affection in turn for them. I’m always going to strive to do my best here for them."
“I’m really happy with the affection shown to me by the fans and I feel immense affection in turn for them,”he concludes. “I’m always going to strive to do my best here for them wearing the United shirt, to please the fans, because this set of supporters deserve it, they deserve our affection and lots of success.”
Read the full interview with Fred in the September 2019 edition of Inside United magazine.