Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has made explosive claims about Erik ten Hag's divisive management style during his time at the club. In an interview on the Charla podcast, Fred accused the Dutchman of favouritism and creating a toxic, clique-driven environment that contributed to his sacking in October 2024.
Fred stated that Ten Hag, who was dismissed after a defeat to West Ham, was tactically strong but treated the squad poorly. "Ten Hag was tactically very good, but with the group he was a piece of c*ap," Fred said. He alleged that the manager argued frequently with senior players, creating a fractured dressing room. "He argued with everyone. He argued with me, with Cristiano [Ronaldo], with Casemiro, with Rashford," the Brazilian added.
The former midfielder claimed that only players from the Netherlands, whom Ten Hag had brought to the club, were guaranteed regular playing time. Fred said this favouritism caused him significant stress as he was consistently overlooked, describing the ex-boss as a 'clique-ridden coach'.
Ten Hag's contested legacy
Ten Hag's two-and-a-half-year tenure at Old Trafford delivered the Carabao Cup and FA Cup but was undermined by inconsistent Premier League form and player conflicts. Fred's comments add a new layer to the ongoing re-evaluation of that period, suggesting tactical acumen was offset by poor man-management.
Current club context
These revelations emerge as Manchester United sit 12th in the Premier League with five points from five games, a position that shows the club's continued struggle for stability. Their recent form reads one win, two draws and two defeats ahead of a key home fixture. The current standings show the scale of the task facing the new leadership as they aim to move the club forward from a turbulent era.
The report in full is at Daily Post Nigeria
