Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has made shocking claims about his former manager Erik ten Hag, branding the Dutchman poor at handling players. In an interview on the Charla Podcast, via MEN, Fred did not hold back when asked about Ten Hag, whose turbulent tenure at Old Trafford ended in October 2024. Fred spent five seasons at Manchester United before joining Fenerbahce in 2023, working under Ten Hag during the manager's opening campaign in charge.
Fred's comments mark a sharp reversal from the praise he offered Ten Hag back in 2023, when he spoke positively about the Dutchman's influence on the club. However, Fred now claims Ten Hag was tactically good but a poor people manager, saying "He is tactically very good, but as a person managing the group, he was a piece of (expletive)." This criticism adds to the growing picture of discontent that reportedly existed within the dressing room during Ten Hag's time at United.
Fred pointed to specific players who he claimed had run-ins with Ten Hag, naming Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford among those caught up in friction with the manager. He also alleged that Ten Hag favoured his fellow Dutch players, giving them preferential treatment over the rest of the squad. According to Fred, "Only his Dutch players played." This perceived favouritism likely contributed to the tension in the dressing room.
The midfielder shed some light on the well-documented falling out between Ten Hag and Ronaldo. Fred suggested the tension stemmed partly from Ten Hag's desire for the whole team to press aggressively, a demand that did not align with Ronaldo's style or age at the time. The Portuguese forward parted ways with United in November 2022 following a very public fallout with the manager.
Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 with considerable promise after his success at Ajax, and his debut season showed enough to generate genuine optimism around the club. However, results deteriorated significantly over time, and his relationship with key figures in the squad became increasingly strained. United dismissed Ten Hag in October 2024 following a poor start to the season.
Fred's candid remarks add another layer to the narrative of Ten Hag's difficult United tenure. The Brazilian midfielder's comments also highlight the challenges Ten Hag faced in managing a team with high-profile players, each with their own expectations and playing styles. Ten Hag's struggles to balance these demands ultimately contributed to his downfall at United.
The fallout between Ten Hag and his players has been well-documented, with several high-profile departures from the club since his departure. As the football world continues to discuss Ten Hag's managerial style and its impact on Manchester United, Fred's comments serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of managing a top-tier football team.
Key points
- Erik ten Hag's tenure at Manchester United was marked by tension and favouritism, according to former player Fred.
- Fred claims Ten Hag was poor at handling players, despite being tactically good.
- The Brazilian midfielder alleged that Ten Hag favoured Dutch players, leading to friction with other squad members.
