The first and maybe most important step of any rebuild is to instil a positive dressing room culture, and Fred has now come out and spoken about how Manchester United can do this.
Last season was United’s worst ever Premier League season, and there were constant leaks of issues going on behind the scenes.
One of these issues was the formation of ‘cliques’, with certain groups of players sticking together and almost neglecting their other teammates.
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In a dressing room you will always have some players you are closer with than others, but the divide was clear to see.
Now, one of the more popular players in United’s squad has come out and spoken about how these cliques need to be abolished.
Nicknamed ‘Pastor Fred’ by his teammates, not unlike his playing style on the pitch, Fred brings an infectious positive energy to United’s players in the dressing room and is well-loved across the club.
He started off by saying that “we have to be united,” and stated that “all aspects of last season were difficult which is hard.”
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The Brazilian continued, “This season with a new manager, with new rules already, we'll look to unite and stick together as that's how our team must be.”
Erik ten Hag’s strict new rules for the squad had been reported, and now Fred has confirmed that they have been implemented.
These rules are reminiscent of the Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford, where he ruled the dressing room with an iron fist.
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Fred carried on speaking about the need for togetherness, “We have to be strong, and to be strong we have to be united. We hope we can be focused and strong.”
He also gave his backing to his new manager and expressed his hope for success, saying “Erik can help us to continue being united. For some years now we haven't won any trophies.”
“Obviously something has to change to achieve success. If it's not working you have to aim to succeed. I'm certain Ten Hag is aware of this and will do his best to help Manchester United return to the top, from where they should never have left.
“It's really important for us to have a strong coach who has the last word alongside us. It gives us security and helps us a lot.
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“He's very detailed in his work, he has his own fine details. All the day-to-day details. It's really good for our daily work. Everyone on the pitch has to give their all to help the team.”
He touched on the difficulties of last term, “Last season was difficult, but that's in the past now. We know it wasn't good, it wasn't what we wanted.”
But he appears fully behind the new boss, stating that “I'm certain that Erik is here to do great things, he's here to win things.
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“We really hope he can do a great job here and are fully behind him. We're looking to achieve a lot, great things, and I'm sure we'll achieve this.”
He finished off by adding to the growing list of players to compliment the Dutchman’s intense and carefully planned out training sessions, and expressed his hope for success with him.
“He's a great coach. Training is good, intense. We're aiming to put what he says into our daily training. I hope we can win things in the future.
“It obviously won't be easy, it won't happen overnight. We'll look to be doing our best as soon as possible.”
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Fred, Liverpool, Premier League, Football
Yusuf Haq