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Fred explains how Alex Ferguson still inspires Manchester United

Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred has discussed the impact that former manager Alex F...



Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred has discussed the impact that former manager Alex Ferguson still has on the club and its players.

The Brazilian also gave an insight into his life in Manchester now, compared to when he first arrived in England.

Fred on 'adapting' to MUFC

Andy Mitten on Fred red card

"I thought I was ready, but then the coach held me a little," he said of his first period with United.

"Because it was different for me, I had to leave the Ukrainian league where Shakhtar was the biggest team and we always won. I used to play tough matches only in the Champions League.

"Then I arrived in the Premier League and any game is an intense fight. Intense fighting!

"So I had to adapt a lot in every sense. The process of positioning myself on the pitch changed, and it was complicated because I didn't have anyone very close to help me.

"I ended up adapting a lot on my own. I talked a lot with Fernandinho, he was one of the guys who helped me most in adapting.

"I also talked with Gilberto Silva, so they both helped me a lot in adapting, which is a normal process."

Alex Ferguson

Ferguson

"He has a great history here," Fred told O Clube.

"I used to hear about him and I knew his story but after being here and realising how much people idolise him, for the time he stayed, the title he won, and the person he is.

"Once in a while, he comes to watch our practice sessions here, it is important to be near him. He is one of the greatest football coaches in history.

"Being close to him is important and it's kind of surreal. I'm very happy that he can be close, he comes to watch our games most of the time, so this is very important to me.

"He is applauded by not only United fans but everyone in England and not only England, worldwide. Everything he lived in football, every he revolutionalised in English football is impressive.

"I think he deserves all of this and we just thank him for doing it for us. After the game against PSG, that we won 3-1, we had lost at home, he went to the locker room and I said: 'Oh my god, he's here!' I went to greet him, shaking his hand."

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Alex Ferguson Ferguson Fred Manchester United Mufc United