Fred.

Fred aiming high in Champions League

Wednesday 23 February 2022 11:58

Fred is in bullish mood ahead of Manchester United's Champions League round-of-16 away leg at Atletico Madrid.

The midfielder came off the bench to score a crucial goal with his left foot from a tight angle in the 4-2 win at Leeds United last time out and is relishing a big European night in Spain at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Speaking in English for our club media interview at Carrington, the Brazilian's message was crystal clear.

“We can win the Champions League,” he insisted. “We have the players capable of bringing this trophy to Manchester United.”

Fred restores United's lead! Video

Fred restores United's lead!

Leeds scored twice in 24 seconds to level the game, before Fred's piledriver sent the away end wild...

Of course, Fred expects the trip to Madrid to be tough against opponents with a fabulous pedigree in the competition - and a reputation for keeping things tight at the back.

"We are excited by the Champions League as well because we know that the experience of Atletico is big," he explained. "They have a big coach [Diego Simeone], and play together as a team, and we know it is a difficult game against Atletico, but this is the Champions League.

"We need to bring back the victory and we need to look at our best performance because it's Atletico. It is difficult to play against them because they defend well and have played together for a long time. We need to find our best performance, that is important for us.”

Fred outlined his affection and respect for the Champions League after previously playing in it with Shakhtar Donetsk.

"I think it's the best competition in the world," he asserted. "The Premier League is great as well but the Champions League is the best. We can win the Champions League but we have Atletico and need to go step by step."

And there will be plenty of support for the South American inside the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

"I hope we can come back happy and our fans come back happy too," he smiled. "My family is going to travel as well to this stadium. When we play in Europe as well, they come and watch, it's important and, for me, a big motivation when my family is at the games. When I look out before the game in the warm-up, my family is there and it's very important and a big motivation for me."

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