Fred has delivered a remarkably frank assessment of Erik ten Hag's time at Manchester United, praising the Dutchman's tactical qualities while criticising his management of the dressing room.
The Brazilian midfielder spent a season working under Ten Hag before leaving Old Trafford for Fenerbahce in 2023, having previously played under José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Now with Atletico Mineiro, Fred reflected on his former manager during an appearance on the Charla Podcast and drew a sharp distinction between Ten Hag's tactical work and his handling of the players.
“Ten Hag was tactically very good, but with the group he was a piece of c***.”
Fred claimed Ten Hag frequently clashed with members of the squad and said the situation could become stressful for players who found themselves outside the manager's plans.
“He argued with everyone. He argued with me, with Cristiano, with Casemiro, with Rashford… he wouldn’t put me in to play, sometimes it got stressful.”
The midfielder also alleged that Ten Hag showed a preference for Dutch players during his spell in charge, although he maintained that the former Ajax manager was among the strongest tacticians he had worked with.
“[With Ten Hag] Only his Dutch players played. A clique-ridden coach. But, tactically, one of the best I’ve ever worked with.”
Fred specifically recalled the manager's relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo, who left United during Ten Hag's first season in charge.
“He wanted the team to run, but Cristiano [was already] older. He took Cristiano out [of the starting lineup], and then there was a falling out.”
Fred's comments offer a player's perspective on a period in which Ten Hag attempted to reshape United after replacing Solskjaer as manager.
The Brazilian also reflected on Solskjaer's management style, presenting the Norwegian as a contrast to Ten Hag in terms of his relationship with the squad.
“Solskjaer was good with the group, but he was helped [in training] by the assistants. He united the group.”
Fred's five-year spell at United meant he experienced several different managers and contrasting approaches before moving on.
His assessment of Ten Hag is therefore split between clear admiration for the Dutchman's tactical work and criticism of the way he dealt with players.
The midfielder's comments provide another account of the internal dynamics during Ten Hag's tenure, particularly his relationships with senior members of the dressing room.
The source describes Fred's comments on Ten Hag's tactical ability, squad management and his comparison with Solskjaer.