Ten Hag’s reported decision about Fred shows manager’s ruthless streak

Add as preferred source on Google

While it seems a long way off right now, the summer of 2023 is expected to bring even more changes to Manchester United’s squad.

Erik ten Hag’s first summer transfer window was just the start. Last summer he gave many of his squad the benefit of the doubt and was more focused on incomings than outgoings.

The departure of high profile free agents Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani were decisions all made long before his arrival.

A report in The Guardian claims Ten Hag is planning to make the decision to release Fred next summer, as part of his plan to re-shape his squad.

Assessing Ten Hag’s reported decision about Fred

This is a big call in several regards, considering Fred’s importance as a squad player, to what it means for United’s strategy.

Fred started United’s first league game of the season, and has been a regular in the starting line-up over the past two seasons.

He has made 173 appearances for United since his £47 million transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018.

But his importance to the side has been on the wane under Erik ten Hag. He has started only four Premier League games out of a possible 14, and just two of six Europa League games.

Hopes that his Brazil partnership with Casemiro would become a feature of United’s side haven’t really materialised yet, not on a regular basis.

A decision is due on his contract, Fred turns 30 in March and his current deal expires in June 2023.

Under the Ed Woodward regime, a contract extension would already have been offered and signed, locking in Fred’s future.

United have been too reluctant to let players leave on free transfers, fearful of losing ‘assets’. It’s this kind of thinking which has left the club still paying Phil Jones and Eric Bailly on long-term deals.

This began to change last summer, and Fred’s release in 2023 would further signify that Manchester United are changing for the better.

While Fred could still contribute in the 2023/24 season, locking him into a deal which would involved still paying him when he is 33 could be a mistake – one United made with Nemanja Matic.

Ten Hag’s ruthless streak and desire to improve

The most exciting aspect of this is that Erik ten Hag will look to replace Fred, with a player of his own choosing.

Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are both 30, so it is important to add younger faces to United’s midfield, one who Ten Hag has specifically picked out.

We have seen the best and worst of Fred during his five seasons at the club, enough to know that he is not a title-winning calibre midfielder for the club, despite his best efforts.

It’s time for Manchester United to take a more ambitious swing, rather than spending on a contract renewal which would allow the club to stand still, at best.

The move would neatly demonstrate Erik ten Hag’s ruthless streak and desire to improve, and this is an exciting trait possessed by the manager, that he will continue to be relentless in his quest to take United back to the top.