AS Roma keen on signing Manchester United midfielder

AS Roma have expressed an interest in signing Manchester United midfielder Fred on loan, a report from Calciomercato claims.

Fred was one of the Red Devils' top-performing midfielders and he earned regular gametime between October and March last year in the injury absence of Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.

However, following the COVID-19 break, his playing time drastically reduced as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went with the midfield combination of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes on a regular basis.

With the arrival of Donny van de Beek, Fred is expected to face further competition for places and there are doubts whether he can break into the Premier League lineup.

According to Calciomercato, the Giallorossi are looking at the possibility of signing the Brazil international on a season-long loan with the option for a permanent purchase for £22m next summer.

Paulo Fonseca's side are already in discussions to sign defender Chris Smalling on a permanent deal after he impressed on a temporary contract from the Red Devils last term.

It will be interesting to see whether the Red Devils are prepared to consider the loan exit of Fred. The 27-year-old has nearly three years remaining on his contract and United don't face the compulsion to offload him.