Ten Hag Man-Management Criticized
Former Manchester United Midfielder Fred Criticizes Erik ten Hag Over Man-Management and Favoritism
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Key Points
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Fred made 56 appearances under Ten Hag in the manager’s first season before leaving Manchester United for Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023.
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Ten Hag had a 54.7% win percentage at Manchester United; the article says only José Mourinho and Michael Carrick had better records among the club’s permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
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Fred said he had a much warmer relationship with José Mourinho, describing him as “a great bloke” and “a really decent bloke”; Mourinho had originally brought Fred to Manchester United.
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Ronaldo’s dispute escalated after he refused to come on as a substitute against Tottenham and left Old Trafford before the final whistle; the following month, his contract was terminated after his interview with Piers Morgan.
Former Manchester United midfielder Fred has delivered a scathing critique of Erik ten Hag's man-management, saying the Dutch coach was tactically brilliant but created divisions in the dressing room. Nogomania reports that Fred alleged Ten Hag clashed repeatedly with him, Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford while favoring Dutch players. The criticism marks a sharp reversal from Fred's 2023 praise of Ten Hag, when he credited the manager with making a major impact at the club.
Ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford ended in October 2024 after winning the FA Cup and League Cup. He achieved a 54.7% win rate, bettered only by José Mourinho and Michael Carrick among Manchester United's permanent managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Fred left United for Fenerbahce in summer 2023 after 56 appearances under Ten Hag in his first season.
Tactical Genius, Terrible with People
Fred acknowledged Ten Hag's tactical abilities but said his man-management was poor. Metro reports that Fred called Ten Hag a "piece of crap" when assessing his squad management. Ten Hag demanded a high-intensity running style and made demands that didn't sit well with older players, particularly Ronaldo.
The midfielder contrasted his experience under Ten Hag with his time under José Mourinho, who originally signed him in 2018. Fred described Mourinho as "a great bloke" and "a really decent bloke." The stark difference between the two managers highlighted how much Ten Hag's approach alienated key players.
Ronaldo's Exit Sparked by Tactical Clash
Ten Hag's decision to drop Ronaldo, then 37, created friction that boiled over. When Ten Hag benched Ronaldo for a Tottenham match, the legend refused to come on as a substitute and left Old Trafford before the final whistle. This public defiance signaled serious trouble between player and manager.
The situation escalated after Ronaldo gave an interview to Piers Morgan criticizing the club and Ten Hag. Manchester United terminated his contract by mutual consent shortly after, ending one of football's most storied careers at the club. Ten Hag's refusal to back down with a global icon damaged his credibility in the dressing room.
Allegations of Favoritism Toward Dutch Players
Fred alleged that Ten Hag showed preference for Dutch players within the squad. Kentucky reports that Fred described Ten Hag as "tactically one of the best" he worked with, yet personal issues overshadowed the manager's tactical brilliance. The favoritism created an "us versus them" dynamic that weakened team unity.
The pattern of clashes with Ronaldo, Casemiro, Rashford, and Fred himself suggested Ten Hag struggled to manage a squad of superstars with established reputations. His tactical demands and apparent bias toward Dutch contingent members created enough tension to justify his dismissal just over a year into his tenure.
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