Former Arsenal midfielder, Gilberto Silva, has explained why his client, Fred, opted to join Manchester United instead of Manchester City

After leaving Arsenal, Gilberto went on to play for Panathinaikos, Gremio and Atletico Mineiro before hanging up his boots to take on other roles, including manager of Panathinaikos.

He is currently Fred’s agent as one of the owners of Partner Sports.

According to Sport Witness, Gilberto said, “About Manchester City, he had the chance to leave in January but Shakhtar vetoed, there was no conversation.

“A good offer arrived, even bigger than the one from now. But Shakhtar understood that he was the most important player of the club.

“They didn’t want to negotiate, vetoed the exit. We did the planning which was to leave in the summer and he bought the idea. Everything we talked about, he understood the process, bought the idea.

“It was cool because the conduct before Shakhtar within the negotiation was very correct. Professional conduct on our part and the part of him also, for not having lost his performance [after the failed move to Man City].

“It was a negotiation opportunity that was passing. We explained to him and we said the club would not let him go. We could fight, but I said we wanted to do it differently.”

Fred signed for United in a €55m-deal this summer despite only just starting out in his agent career.