Fred didn't feature in Manchester United's first pre-season friendly because Erik ten Hag and his staff are managing the midfielder's workload, the club say.
Fred, 30, has been tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer but United insist that his absence from Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Leeds wasn't connected to the transfer rumours. The Brazilian recently entered the final year of his Red Devils contract and was tipped to join Fulham before a £20million price tag was slapped on him which appears to have derailed the Cottagers' pursuit, although clubs in the Saudi Pro League remain interested.
Ten Hag is reportedly open to selling United's £52million signing, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2018, after bringing in Mason Mount from Chelsea to bolster his midfield. That leaves Fred further down the pecking order, having returned to pre-season training last week.
