Erik ten Hag brands Man Utd star Fred a ‘mosquito’ after ‘stopping’ Barcelona star in Europa League

ERIK TEN HAG heaped praise on Fred for his performance against Barcelona.

The Brazilian midfielder was vital to the result as he scored the equaliser before Antony’s winning goal.

AlamyErik ten Hag was happy with Fred’s performance against Barcelona[/caption]

GettyHe scored and stopped Frenkie de Jong from dominating the midfield[/caption]

Fred also stopped Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong from controlling the game.

Ten Hag compared the 29-year-old to a mosquito as he was consistently bothering the Dutch midfielder.

Fred was all over the pitch as he had 47 touches of the ball.

Ten Hag said: “He had an important role already last week in Barcelona.

“First, to stop Frenkie de Jong playing, he had to play as a mosquito around him and go behind him, and he did it magnificently.

“Last week, he gave a brilliant assist for Rashy [Marcus Rashford], and today he scored a goal, brilliant performance.”

Ten Hag will also be happy with how Fred stopped De Jong considering how Man United failed to sign him in the summer transfer window.

Fred’s energy was crucial to United’s approach to the match as he had 47 touches of the ball all over the pitch.

Ten Hag – who himself received a lot of praise – insisted that the speed of his players was vital to how he wanted them to play.

He added: “I like the speed. I like dynamic football.

“I don’t like static football, I don’t like boring football.

“I like football that entertains the people.”

Ten Hag will be hoping his players can continue to perform at the same level in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday.