Pep Guardiola sought out Fred to console the Manchester United midfielder after he suffered alleged racial abuse during Saturday’s derby.
A man was arrested by Greater Manchester Police on Sunday after several United players said they were subjected to abuse of a racist nature during their 2-1 win at the Etihad.
Television images appeared to capture a man making ‘monkey’ gestures in the direction of Fred and Jesse Lingard as they prepared to take a 68th-minute corner.
Fred was also struck by a lighter during the incident, which saw several projectiles thrown from a section of the home crowd and onto the pitch.
Guardiola had a short conversation with Fred in the Etihad’s mixed zone after the game, cupping the Brazilan’s face while appearing to discuss the alleged abuse.
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3/25 Ederson – 5
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4/25 Kyle Walker – 5
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5/25 John Stones – 5
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6/25 Fernandinho – 6
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7/25 Angelino – 4
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8/25 Kevin De Bruyne – 6
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9/25 Rodri – 4
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10/25 David Silva – 4
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11/25 Bernardo Silva – 5
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12/25 Gabriel Jesus – 4
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13/25 Raheem Sterling – 6
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15/25 David de Gea – 8
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16/25 Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 9
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17/25 Victor Lindelof – 8
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18/25 Harry Maguire – 7
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19/25 Luke Shaw – 7
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20/25 Scott McTominay – 7
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21/25 Fred – 9
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22/25 Daniel James – 8
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23/25 Jesse Lingard – 7
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24/25 Marcus Rashford – 8
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25/25 Anthony Martial – 8
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3/25 Ederson – 5
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4/25 Kyle Walker – 5
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5/25 John Stones – 5
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6/25 Fernandinho – 6
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7/25 Angelino – 4
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8/25 Kevin De Bruyne – 6
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9/25 Rodri – 4
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10/25 David Silva – 4
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11/25 Bernardo Silva – 5
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12/25 Gabriel Jesus – 4
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13/25 Raheem Sterling – 6
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15/25 David de Gea – 8
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16/25 Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 9
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17/25 Victor Lindelof – 8
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18/25 Harry Maguire – 7
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19/25 Luke Shaw – 7
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20/25 Scott McTominay – 7
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21/25 Fred – 9
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22/25 Daniel James – 8
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23/25 Jesse Lingard – 7
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24/25 Marcus Rashford – 8
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25/25 Anthony Martial – 8
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Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Fred condemned what he described as a “backward society”, adding: “[It is a shame] we still have to live with that in 2019.
“We are all the same regardless of skin color, hair and gender. We came from the same place and we all go to the same place when it’s all said and done.
“Thank God I have a lot of friends here in the locker room who hugged me, like Lingard. I don’t want to think about it. I just want to move on.”
The Football Association are investigating both the alleged racial abuse and the missile throwing but City’s swift handling of the matter is likely to influence any punishment.
The club released a statement condemning both incidents shortly after the final whistle and have vowed to serve a lifetime ban to any fan found guilty of racist behaviour.
City do not foresee any obstacles in identifying any fans responsible as they require supporters to register to a database prior to purchasing tickets.
Ferran Soriano, the club’s chief executive, informed United director David Gill that the club would leave no stone unturned when pursuing those responsible.
United reported their players’ complaints to City and Saturday’s match officials directly after the game and are confident that the matter will be fully dealt with.
It is understood that police are yet to request statements from Fred, Lingard or any other United player, though this may change as the investigation proceeds over the coming days.
