Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has accused ex-boss Erik ten Hag of being a ‘piece of crap’ when it came to squad management.
Fred spent five years at United, winning the League Cup and reaching the FA Cup final in the 2022-23 season. The Brazilian left Old Trafford to join Turkish side Fenerbahce during Ten Hag’s tenure ahead of the 2023-24 season,
Despite Ten Hag winning FA Cup and League Cup in his two-and-a-half years in Manchester, Fred gave a damning review of his time under the Dutchman.
Erik Ten Hag and Fred during their time at Manchester United (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
”Ten Hag was tactically very good, but with the group he was a piece of crap,” he said on the “Charla Podcast.”
”He argued with everyone. He argued with me, with Cristiano [Ronaldo], with Casemiro, with Rashford … He wouldn’t put me in to play, sometimes it got stressful.
”[With Ten Hag] Only his Dutch players played. A clique-ridden coach. But, tactically, one of the best I’ve ever worked with.
”He wanted the team to run, but Cristiano [was already] older. He took Cristiano out [of the starting lineup], and then there was a falling out.”
Fred in action while his Erik Ten Hag reacts during an open training session. (Photo by Allsport Co./Getty Images)
Ten Hag was sacked in October 2024, with United 14th after seven matches — their worst start since the 1989-90 season.
Fred also lifted the lid on other United managers he experienced, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who took the helm at the club in December 2018 after Jose Mourinho was sacked.
”Solskjaer was good with the group, but he was helped [in training] by the assistants. He united the group,” Fred added.
”Mourinho’s a great bloke, he is funny. I’ve just been with him at Fenerbahçe; he brought me to United.
”Before [Carlo] Ancelotti came along, his name was being mentioned for the national team [Brazil].
”So I’d show him the rumours and he’d say: ‘F— off, mate. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to manage my club here.’ A really decent bloke.”
