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Jose Mourinho told Fred his dream midfield trio for Manchester United

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Jose Mourinho gave Fred personal assurances before his Manchester United move (AMA/Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho told Fred that he would form part of his dream midfield trio at Manchester United, according to reports in Brazil.

Fred was signed in a £52 million deal from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer but has struggled to secure regular playing time since his arrival at Old Trafford.

The Brazil international, who was also wanted by Manchester City before United made their move, has started only six Premier League games and just two in the Champions League.

According to UOL, several United players have been left confused as to why Mourinho has continued to overlook Fred.

And the report also claims that during Uniteds negotiations to sign Fred, Mourinho personally told the Brazilian that he would form part of his dream midfield trio with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

Fred has only started in six Premier League games this season (AMA/Getty Images)

But Mourinho has started the three midfielders together on only four occasions this season.

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Speaking earlier this week about Freds omission, Mourinho admitted the 25-year-old would get more playing time when United improved defensively.

Step by step. You have also other players in other clubs that needed their time and you have some of them that played even less than what Fred is playing, said Mourinho.

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I think [with] Fred, when the team is defensively stronger and doesnt need in midfield people that is more worried in giving some balance to the team than being involved in creation and attacking dynamics. The day we are stronger defensively, I think the horizons for Fred change completely.