Fred, the midfielder of Ukrainian Shakhtar Donetsk called up by Brazil for the 2018 World Cup, said on Thursday he feels honored by the interest awakened by both Manchester City of Pep Guardiola and Manchester United of José Mourinho, which he attributes to his versatility.

"It is an honor to draw the attention of two of the great European coaches, which I attribute to the vitality I have on the field and to being versatile, I can play both as a midfielder and as a creative player in the center of the field," Fred said in a press conference after the first training session of the Brazilian national team in their preparation for the World Cup in Russia.

The player affirmed that both English clubs are negotiating his signing and that the conversations with both are advanced, but at this moment he is only focused on the World Cup, so his destination will be defined after Russia.

"Some coaches need versatile players and that catches their attention and is an important point for me," added the midfielder, who admitted that in Shakhtar Donetsk he has played as a first midfielder, as a second midfielder, and as a creative player.

Fred said that this characteristic is also what allowed the coach of the Brazilian national team, Adenor Leonardo Bachi 'Tite', to call him up for the World Cup despite having only played a few minutes in a few matches for the Canarinha.

"I fit into the field in whatever Tite needs. In Ukraine, I play in different positions, sometimes as a first midfielder, sometimes as a second midfielder, sometimes as a playmaker. Whatever Tite needs, I will be ready regardless of the position. I want to help on the field regardless of the position. Wherever I am placed, I will do my best," he affirmed.

Fred, concentrated with the Brazil squad for Russia 2018 since Monday in the mountain city of Teresópolis, assured that he left the definition of his future club in the hands of his representatives because at this moment he just wants to think about the World Cup.

"I am focused on the World Cup and that makes me forget about other things. I have representatives who are taking care of that but I have hardly spoken to them. They will choose the best place and the best path for me," he said.

He added that Manchester City, led by Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, was the first to start the conversations, in January of this year, and that later Manchester United, led by Portuguese coach José Mourinho, also contacted his representatives and made a more concrete proposal this week, so he is negotiating with both.

"I have an agent in whom I trust a lot and I leave him alone. I do my job on the field and let him do his. He is looking for the best place for me. Maybe after the World Cup we can talk about what the best place for me is," he added.

Brazil debuts in the World Cup on June 17 against Switzerland, so they have almost a month to prepare for the tournament in which they will seek their sixth world title, which they will start this week in Teresópolis and from next Monday in London.