In a late turn in the transfer window ahead of the Premier League restart this evening, Brazilian midfielder Fred is set to leave Manchester United after they reportedly accepted a bid from Turkish team, Fenerbahçe SK.
That’s right, United fans, the age of McFred is coming to an end.
As per numerous outlets, Man United accepted a bid for Fred from Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe on Thursday for an estimated €15 million euros (£12.9m), with the 30-year-old now set to leave Old Trafford after five years at the club.
Fred made 139 league appearances for the club in the top, scoring eight goals and seven assists — half a dozen of each coming last season, which proved to be one of his best in a United shirt. According to Fabrizio Romano, though, his personal terms have already been agreed.
Fred to Fenerbahçe, here we go! Deal in place with Manchester United, proposal revealed earlier has been accepted and verbal agreement reached 🚨🟡🔵
Fred has agreed terms with Fenerbahçe and will travel for medical tests soon.
Neither club is yet to confirm the agreement and the full details surrounding the deal are still unknown but the transfer is said to be permanent, with Fred expected to sign a four-year contract.
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The Brazilian international joined the Red Devils from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2018 for £52m and was tipped to be a revolutionary signing, having been pursued by Pep Guardiola and Manchester City before opting to choose the other half of Manchester.
He famously made up one-half of the ‘McFred’ midfield partnership alongside Scott McTominay, which whether for the right reasons or not, became iconic and a bit of a meme over the past few seasons.
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Capable of solid, no-nonsense and often brilliant performances in one game but pure calamity in the next three, the dynamic duo have been central (quite literally) to the way United play, good or bad, for many years and fans have already responded with somewhat of a bittersweet goodbye.
However, despite being somewhat of a mainstay in United’s recent generation, he and McTominay only started three matches alongside each other under Erik ten Hag last season and the midfielder was reportedly informed that he would be unlikely to feature regularly going forward.
Nevertheless, he has been a faithful servant during his time at the club, always willing to put in a shift and has genuinely become a bit of a cult figure, with fans inserting his name into the famous ‘tear you apart’ chant and interacting with his family as they watched on from on the stands.
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He may never have hit the heights supporters were promised but always did his best to cover every blade of grass and was never afraid to put his body on the line. With Fred now set to leave and vacate the no.17 shirt, many fans are expecting the number to be given to their new striker, Rasmus Højlund.
It has also been rumoured that Scott McTominay might be leaving his boyhood club since the age of five, with West Ham, Newcastle and more said to be interested but it is now thought he will stay. McFred might be over, but Reds might still see the likes of McEriksen and McMount from time to time.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
Manchester City release limited-edition Blossoms shirts exclusively in new flagship store
Daisy Jackson
Manchester City have released a limited run of special Blossoms shirts, which will be available exclusively at the new flagship City Store.
Etihad Airways has donated the front-of-shirt space for the special drop, which celebrates the Stockport band’s lifelong support of Man City and will fundraise forCity in the Community’s 40th anniversary.
The Manchester City x Blossoms collab features the band’s logo across the chest of the 2024/25 season’s away shirt – one of the Club’s most popular designs in recent years.
Profits from sales of the shirts will be donated to CITC to support its 40th anniversary fundraising, which empower healthier lives with city youth through football.
Blossoms have just secured their fifth UK number one album with their latest release, ‘Songs From The Wedding Cake’, and will soon be heading on an arena tour that includes two massive shows at the Co-op Live.
There’s a very limited run of the Man City Blossoms shirts, available in sizes small to large, which will exclusively be sold at the new flagship CityStore.
The shirts have dropped in-store this morning, with further drops to be released around the band’s tour dates this November and December.
As for that new City store – it’s a whopping 21,000 sq ft, three-floor space at Medlock Square, right beside the Etihad Stadium, and is the biggest shop in the club’s history.
The new flagship has opened today in collaboration with PUMA and Stichd, and features a new, interactive ‘Make It Yours’ customisation station as well as an expanded range of Manchester City products.
Danny Jones -
11th August 2023 
