Fred claims Erik ten Hag had awful man-management at Man United

Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has accused his old manager Erik ten Hag of arguing with several senior players and favoring a specific group of Dutchmen during his time at Old Trafford, offering a sharp critique three years after praising the coach’s impact. The Brazilian midfielder, who made 56 appearances in Ten Hag’s first season before joining Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023, delivered the assessment in an interview with the Charla Podcast following his return to Brazilian football with Atletico Mineiro.

Fred Splits Ten Hag Tactics from Dressing Room Man-Management

Fred drew a clear distinction between Ten Hag’s tactical acumen and his handling of player personalities within the Manchester United squad. While describing the Dutchman as tactically very good, the 33-year-old stated that his man-management of the group was awful.

The midfielder claimed that Ten Hag favored his own circle of players, asserting that “only his Dutch players played.” At the same time, Fred maintained that Ten Hag remained among the best coaches he had worked with from a tactical perspective, mirroring praise he originally shared with FourFourTwo in June 2023 when he noted the manager’s tactical intelligence and routine.

Clashes with Cristiano Ronaldo and Senior Stars

According to Fred, friction was a constant feature of Ten Hag’s leadership style at the club. The Brazilian stated that the manager “argued with everyone,” specifically naming himself, Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford.

The disputes reached high-profile levels during the 2022–2023 season when Ronaldo lost his regular starting spot amid Ten Hag’s high-pressing demands. Fred pointed to Ronaldo’s age and the manager’s physical requirements as core drivers of the conflict, which culminated in Ronaldo refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham Hotspur in October 2022 and leaving Old Trafford before the final whistle. Ronaldo’s contract was terminated by mutual consent the following month following an interview with Piers Morgan.

Parallels with Subsequent Manchester United Departures

Fred’s remarks align with several other high-profile fallouts during Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford. Winger Jadon Sancho was banished from first-team training after a public disagreement with the manager in 2023, while Marcus Rashford faced disciplinary measures.

Former United defender Raphael Varane later described his own working relationship with Ten Hag as very tense, noting frequent conflicts between the coach and senior dressing room figures. In contrast, Fred praised his earlier manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his ability to unite the squad, noting that Solskjaer relied on his assistants for training ground tactics while keeping the group together.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fred and Erik ten Hag

How many appearances did Fred make under Erik ten Hag?

Fred made 56 appearances during Erik ten Hag’s first campaign in charge at Manchester United before completing a transfer to Turkish club Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023.

When did Fred first praise Erik ten Hag’s impact?

Fred spoke enthusiastically about Ten Hag’s tactical intelligence and influence behind the scenes in an interview with FourFourTwo published in June 2023, shortly before departing for Fenerbahce.

Which specific players did Fred claim Ten Hag argued with?

Speaking on the Charla Podcast, Fred claimed that Ten Hag argued with himself, Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford during their time together at Old Trafford.