Manchester United favourites to sign highly-rated Brazilian midfielder

Manchester United are reportedly in pole position to secure the signing of midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk during the summer transfer window.

The Brazil international was initially being tipped to join Manchester City, but the Premier League leaders appear to have cooled down their interest.

As a result, The Star reports that the Red Devils are favourites to pursue the 25-year-old, who has impressed for Shakhtar in the domestic and European competitions this term.

The report adds that United have already alerted the player's representative of their ongoing interest, and they are prepared to lodge an approach at the end of the campaign.

United have found themselves a quality midfielder in the form of Scott McTominay through their academy, but there is still a weakness in the department with Paul Pogba struggling to perform of late.

The France international has been more of a substitute over the past few matches, and he failed to come off the bench during last night's FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton & Hove Albion.