Former Manchester United midfielder Fred levels sharp criticism at Erik ten Hag, saying the Dutch coach was poor at managing players during his time in charge. Fred, who left United during ten Hag’s tenure, describes stress around selection and disagreements involving multiple squad members.
Across the outlets, Fred’s comments focus on man-management rather than tactics. He states ten Hag is tactically strong, but argues with players and falls out with people in the dressing room. One outlet adds that Fred claims ten Hag favored only his Dutch players, describing him as part of a “clique,” and notes that Fred sometimes was not selected to play. Fred also refers to tensions involving Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford, and says there was a falling out after Ronaldo was removed from the starting lineup.
The reporting also provides context on ten Hag’s United spell and subsequent career. Fred played one season under ten Hag before departing in 2023. Ten Hag later wins the FA Cup as his situation at United deteriorates, is sacked in the following period, and briefly manages Bayer Leverkusen before taking a role at Twente.
