Brazilian midfielder Fred has delivered a candid critique of his time under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, claiming the Dutch tactician's interpersonal approach undermined his technical brilliance. Speaking on the Charla podcast, the 33-year-old—now plying his trade with Atletico Mineiro back in his homeland—painted a picture of a coach whose divisive management style created tension within the squad despite his sophisticated understanding of the game. Fred's assessment adds significant weight to the narrative surrounding ten Hag's tumultuous tenure at Old Trafford, which ultimately ended in dismissal after just over two years in charge.
Fred's primary grievance centered on ten Hag's selective treatment of players and alleged favoritism toward Dutch contingents within the squad. "He argued with everyone. He argued with me, with Cristiano [Ronaldo], with Casemiro, with [Marcus] Rashford," Fred recounted, highlighting the scope of the manager's contentious relationships. The Brazilian further alleged that "only his Dutch players played," suggesting a systematic bias that fostered resentment. Fred acknowledged the stress caused by limited playing time under ten Hag's regime, yet paradoxically recognized the manager's undeniable tactical acumen. "A clique-ridden coach but tactically, one of the best I've ever worked with," Fred summarized, encapsulating the contradiction between ten Hag's strategic brilliance and his problematic man-management skills.
Ten Hag's handling of Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as a flashpoint that had ramifications extending far beyond Old Trafford. Fred explained how ten Hag's decision to drop the aging Portuguese superstar created friction, ultimately leading to Ronaldo's explosive exit. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner subsequently announced his departure after the 2022 World Cup and launched a scathing critique during an interview with Piers Morgan, criticizing both the club and ten Hag personally. Ronaldo's subsequent transfer to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League precipitated a cascade of high-profile player movements to the Middle East. Despite these organizational challenges, Fred contributed to a silverware win by helping Manchester United claim the Carabao Cup in 2023 before departing for Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.
Ten Hag's Manchester United reign ultimately unraveled under mounting pressure, with the club finishing ninth in his second season—recording the Premier League's lowest points total at that time (60 points)—before a fortuitous FA Cup final victory over Manchester City salvaged European qualification. Following a disappointing start to the 2024/25 campaign, ten Hag was relieved of his duties in late October, with Ruben Amorim arriving as his successor. Amorim's tenure proved equally brief, lasting just 14 months before Michael Carrick assumed temporary control and subsequently earned a permanent appointment after guiding United back to Champions League qualification. Fred's reflections serve as a cautionary reminder of the delicate balance required between tactical excellence and emotional intelligence in modern football management.