Fred: I'm convinced Telles will add to the team

Our new no.27 completed his transfer on 5 October following a lengthy scouting process and, after working hard at the Aon Training Complex, he made an eye-catching debut during Tuesday night’s Champions League victory against Paris Saint-Germain in France. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started Telles as a left wing-back at Parc des Princes and many Reds supporters were impressed by his excellent crossing ability, particularly from corners and free-kicks. 

Alex could make his second United appearance in today’s Premier League match against Chelsea at Old Trafford and, in the matchday programme, Fred speaks positively about his new team-mate.

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“He’s a great person, I spoke to him shortly before he signed for us,” Fred tells United Review. “We had a good chat and he’s a really relaxed guy, a good person and a great player. He had a superb season at Porto and has played for other clubs where he did really well. 

“I’m convinced he’ll add to and help the team and we’ll make him very welcome here. I’ll be here to help with whatever he needs, together with Bruno and the other players here who speak good Portuguese. I’m sure they’ll help him too, and we’ll work towards having a great season together.”

In a wide-ranging interview for United Review, Fred also speaks warmly about another South American signing in the form of Edinson Cavani, who also joined the club this month. 

Cavani's debut has been delayed by an enforced period of quarantine, as per COVID-19 guidelines, after his move to Manchester. However, the Uruguayan began training with the team last Sunday and has reportedly impressed the players – and the manager – all week. 

“He’s a superb centre-forward,” Fred explains. “He plays for Uruguay, and he has scored a lot of goals for Paris Saint-Germain. I’m sure he’ll bring a lot of passion to the team. Watching him play, you see he’s constantly battling, always looking to score. I’m sure that he’ll bring a lot to our group, our squad. 

“I’m really rooting for this, that we can grow with his arrival, together with Telles and Facundo [Pellistri]. Our group will develop a lot. It’s going to be great, we hope he can help us score a lot of goals, help us fight. He’s a very experienced player so his arrival is great news for our team.

“Of course, Cavani is older, more experienced [than our other strikers], so I’m sure Marcus [Rashford], Mason [Greenwood] and Anthony [Martial] will learn from him in that position – as they do from Odion Ighalo, too. The players there will learn as he’s a bit more experienced. I watch the more experienced players in my position and I look to see what they’re doing, right or wrong, to learn from them. 

“I’m sure they [our forwards] will learn from Cavani as well, in the same way they have learnt from Odion and other centre-forwards. He’s come to help, to add to the team, and I’m certain he’ll contribute a lot.”

Read the full interview with Fred in today’s digital edition of United Review.