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NEW SIGNING

Who is Fred? Five things you may not know about Manchester United’s £52million midfielder

The Red Devils have confirmed the Brazil international's arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk

Manchester United have finally announced the signing of Brazil midfielder Fred - but how much do you know about him?

The 25-year-old arrives at Old Trafford from Shakhtar Donetsk, and has signed a five-year deal.

His Red Devils move - announced with another 'cringe' video on the club's social media - has is ended months of speculation and yet there is little known of his background following five years in Ukraine, where the Champions League presents the only real opportunity to see him play.

So here are five things you may not know about the midfielder, as he looks ahead to his debut Premier League season in the red shirt of United.

Born and bred

Fred - full name Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos - was born in Brazil's sixth largest city Belo Horizonte on March 5, 1993.

Belo Horizonte hosted matches at the 1950 and 2014 World Cups and staged two of the tournament's biggest-ever shocks - England's 1-0 defeat to the USA in 1950 and Brazil's 7-1 semi-final thrashing to Germany in 2014.

 Brazil players react after the semi-final drubbing against Germany at their home World Cup
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Brazil players react after the semi-final drubbing against Germany at their home World Cup

Hero worship

Brazilian maestro Ronaldinho was Fred's childhood hero.

Fred's first goal in the Brazilian championship in July 2012 came against his hometown club Atletico Mineiro, who Ronaldinho - once linked with joining United - was playing for at the time.

 Brazil star Ronaldinho inspired a whole generation of future footballers
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Brazil star Ronaldinho inspired a whole generation of future footballersCredit: getty

Donetsk no-show

Signed as a replacement for Manchester City-bound Fernandinho, Fred joined Shakhtar Donetsk from Brazilian club Internacional in 2013 in a deal worth €15 million.

He was among the six Shakhtar players who refused to return to Donetsk in July 2014 as the Russia-Ukraine crisis escalated.

 Fred wasn't the only player who refused to return to Ukraine
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Fred wasn't the only player who refused to return to Ukraine

Silva lining

Arsenal double winner Gilberto Silva represents Fred.

But Silva sees his role as "mentor first, agent second" to young Brazilians like Fred.

The former Brazil holding midfielder has been quoted as saying: "Since I started working with Fred he's been a big challenge for me as well, because it wasn't my job."

 Former Arsenal star Gilberto is now Fred's agent
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Former Arsenal star Gilberto is now Fred's agent

Doping case

Fred tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide at the 2015 Copa America.

He was initially suspended for a year, backdated to the tournament.

But after a lengthy process he was eventually suspended for four months between March and July 2017.

 Fred was banned from football for doping offences in 2017
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Fred was banned from football for doping offences in 2017
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