Fred says Erik ten Hag was a ‘disaster’ at Manchester United and reveals Cristiano Ronaldo dispute

Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has strongly criticised Erik ten Hag, describing the Dutchman as a tactical success but a “real disaster” in his management of the squad and dressing room.

Ten Hag guided Manchester United to the English League Cup and the FA Cup final during the 2022-2023 season. However, Fred, 31, said his time working under the manager left him with extremely negative memories.

Speaking on the “Sharla” podcast, Fred acknowledged Ten Hag’s coaching ability but said the manager repeatedly clashed with players.

“Ten Hag was a great coach tactically, but he was a real disaster with the team,” Fred said. “He argued with everyone, and argued with me, Cristiano, Casemiro and Rashford.”

The former Manchester United player also claimed he was given fewer opportunities under Ten Hag and suggested Dutch players were favoured when teams were selected.

“He did not play me in matches, and sometimes the atmosphere was extremely tense,” Fred said, in comments reported by French outlet Foot Mercato. “With Ten Hag, the players from the Netherlands were the ones who received more opportunities to play.”

Fred went on to accuse the manager of creating divisions within the squad, while maintaining that Ten Hag remained one of the best tactical coaches he had worked with.

“He was a manager full of cliques,” Fred said. “But when it comes to the tactical side, he is one of the best coaches I have ever worked with.”

The Brazilian also discussed one of the most prominent disputes of Ten Hag’s Manchester United tenure: the breakdown in relations between the manager and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to Fred, Ten Hag wanted his team to play with speed and constant movement. The former Manchester United midfielder said the manager believed Ronaldo’s advancing age meant he was no longer the ideal player to carry out those instructions.

“He wanted the team to be fast, but Cristiano had got older,” Fred said. “So he left him out of the starting line-up, and a disagreement developed between them.”

Fred’s comments present a contrasting view of Ten Hag’s time at Manchester United, combining praise for his tactical work with criticism of his handling of players and the internal atmosphere at the club.

The manager’s tenure was marked, in Fred’s account, by repeated disputes in the dressing room. Several players eventually left Manchester United, including Fred, who moved to Turkish club Fenerbahce.