‎‘Piece of Crap!’ Ex-Man Utd Star Opens Up on Ten Hag’s Squad Management

‎‎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.”