Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly stepped aside in the race for the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred.

According to Brazilian outlet UOL today, Pep Guardiola’s side have chosen to focus on the signing of another Brazilian, Jorginho, who’s expected to leave Napoli this summer.

With Manchester City’s withdrawal, it’s Manchester United who would now have a clearer path to sign the Shakhtar player. UOL says that Fred’s staff now take the Red Devils as ‘the most likely destination’.

Fred gave interview to Brazilian TV channel SporTV on Tuesday confirming that he wants to leave Shakhtar at the end of the season, but also saying that things should only be sorted after he returns from the World Cup.

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Just last week, Shakhtar captain Dario Srna revealed during the club’s title celebration that Fred would be leaving for Manchester at the end of the season. He just didn’t know to which club.

So if this is really a two-horse race, Manchester United should be leading now.

Unless it was all just a dream for Fred.