Manchester United midfielder Fred insists his South American charm can lighten up Old Trafford dressing room

SUMMER signing Fred believes he has a crucial role to play off the pitch – to bring some laughter to the Manchester United dressing room.

The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils this summer, signing a five-year deal after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk.

The midfielder has played a part in both of his new team’s games this season, against Leicester City and Brighton.

But the results haven’t exactly put smiles on the faces of those at the club with a narrow win over the Foxes before the Seagulls inflicted a 3-2 defeat last weekend.

The fall out of from that second match was captain Paul Pogba suggesting the attitude of some of the players was wrong while manager Jose Mourinho was particularly prickly with those around him.

But ahead of Monday’s clash with Tottenham, Fred wants to bring a bit of South American love to the team, using previous United man and compatriot Anderson as an example.

, he said: “Anderson is a really lively guy, a really cheerful guy.

“That’s what Brazilians are like – we’re always having a laugh, we’re always smiling, and my aim is to bring this spirit into the dressing room and onto the pitch, to play with a smile on my face.

“This helps for me settling in, and the football side of things too.”

If he needs any confirmation that he’s got the character to pull off his mission, then Fred needs only to listen to the gaffer.

Mourinho told MUTV: "We are really happy. And a part of that is his character, he’s a good guy to have around, a funny guy and a guy who always has a smile on his face.

“He doesn’t speak good English but he speaks with everyone and understands everyone and they understand him.”