Fred reveals Jhon Duran refused to train at Fenerbahce: 'I'm already rich, I don't need to run'

Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has accused Jhon Duran of routinely dodging training during their shared spell at Fenerbahce, painting a damning picture of the Colombian forward’s professional standards.

Speaking on the Charla podcast, Fred recalled his attempts to motivate Duran on the training pitch — and the response he received. “Come on Duran, let’s train, let’s run a bit over there,” Fred said he would urge him. “‘Bro, I’m already rich. I don’t need to run,’ he’d say, then he’d go to the medical department and slack off.”

Fred also described Duran’s attitude toward his lucrative move to Zenit Saint Petersburg. “When he went to Zenit, I said, ‘Ooo, now you’re gonna make even more money.’” Duran’s reported reply: “‘Bro, the more the better, the more the better.’ Sometimes when we talked, he’d say, ‘I’ve already saved the lives of me, my family, and three generations.’” Fred added that even at Fenerbahce, Duran’s commitment eventually evaporated entirely: “At least in the beginning he was showing up for training and stuff, then he completely quit.”

Duran’s attitude at Fenerbahce also drew a public rebuke from then-manager José Mourinho. After the striker missed the start of pre-session work, the Portuguese coach said: “That is disrespectful. There are clear rules and anyone who does not follow them must expect consequences.”

The 22-year-old had earned his big-money move to Saudi side Al-Nassr on the back of an impressive stint at Aston Villa, where he scored 20 goals in 78 appearances after joining from Chicago Fire. Since leaving Villa Park, however, his career has stalled across a series of loan moves — Fenerbahce, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and now Benfica, where he has managed just two starts and two goals in 12 appearances. Al-Nassr hold his contract until 2030, though Benfica retain an option to sign him permanently at the end of his current loan.

Fred himself joined Fenerbahce after departing Manchester United in 2023, going on to make 129 appearances and score 12 goals for the Istanbul club before returning to Brazil with Atlético Mineiro this year. The Brazilian had spent five years at Old Trafford following his arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk.