World Cup 2018: Fred back in Brazil training after Manchester United ace gets over ankle injury

MANCHESTER UNITED's new arrival Fred was back in Brazil training on Wednesday as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

The £52million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk joined his Selecao teammates in preparation for their opening World Cup game against Switzerland in Rostov on Sunday.

The new United midfielder suffered the injury on June 7 at Brazil's pre-Russia training camp in London, but after the damage was assessed he remained with the group, flying out to the Black Sea resort Sochi on Monday.

After their Switzerland clash, Brazil fly to Saint Petersburg to face Costa Rica on June 22, before rounding off their Group E fixtures against Serbia in Moscow five days later.

The team are looking for a sixth World Cup triumph, and have a reputation to rebuild after the 7-1 humiliation by Germany on home turf four years ago.

Just six players remain from the 2014 squad, including Neymar, Marcelo and Premier League pair Willian and Fernandinho.

Brazil come into the tournament on an 11-game unbeaten streak, with no goals conceded in their last five internationals.

In their pre-Russia warm-ups, they eased past Croatia 2-0 at Anfield before sweeping aside Austria in Vienna, goals from Gabriel Jesus, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho securing a 3-0 win.

Those results make them many people's favourites to win the tournament, which would seal a first non-European victory on the continent in the World Cup's 88-year history.

Brazil are likely to face Mexico or Sweden in the second round, while the quarter-final could see them face England, should Gareth Southgate's side top Group G.