Jose Mourinho to meet £47m Manchester United signing who was 'upset' at lack of playing time
Jose Mourinho will be reunited with former Manchester United midfielder Fred when he becomes Fenerbahce's new manager.
The 'Special One' will become the Turkish giant new bossaccording to reports.
talkSPORT understands the 61-year-old held talks with Saudi club Al Qadsiah about his managerial vacancy, but he is expected to be announced as FenerbahceThe new manager on Friday.
And the move will see Mourinho connect with several familiar faces.
Brazilian Fred was signed by Mourinho in 2018 from Shakhtar Donetsk for £47m.
But despite arriving after the 2018 World Cup and an impressive season in Ukraine, Fred only made 27 appearances in his first campaign.
Under Mourinho, the midfielder made just six starts before the manager was sacked in December 2018, leading to Fred losing his place in the Brazil squad.
Speaking at the time, Fred said: “I have played very little for United, so it is normal that Professor Tite cannot evaluate me, even though I have worked hard with him before.
“Of course I was upset, but I have to know how to deal with sadness to help me move forward.
“The coach has decided not to be part of the team. That is his choice. I continue to do my job and I can't let that affect my thinking, I can't let that affect me. I have to be patient.
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“It's been a difficult start for me at United because I haven't played much.”
Fred also acknowledged that he needed time to adapt to the Premier League, something Mourinho himself noted when he broached the subject in December of that year.
“Step by step,” he told reporters when asked why Fred hadn't played. “You also have other players at other clubs who needed their time and there are some of them who play even less than Fred plays.
“I think Fred (will play more), when the team is stronger defensively and does not need people in the midfield who are more concerned with giving some balance to the team than with getting involved in the creation and attacking dynamics.
“The day we become stronger defensively, I think Fred's horizons will completely change.”
Just 11 days after Mourinho's comments, the former Chelsea the boss was fired.
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He led United to win the League Cup and Europa League during his time there, but had them 19 points behind the league leaders. Liverpool for when he left.
Meanwhile, Fred left Old Trafford last summer after making 213 appearances in five seasons and scoring 14 goals.
Mourinho's Fenerbahce squad will also include former Southampton striker Dusan Tadic, as well as former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.
Departed former Man City star Edin Dzeko Roma from Inter Milan two months after Mourinho's arrival, he is also at Fenerbahce.
