Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by the Toffees at Old Trafford after Andros Townsend’s second half strike cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener for the hosts.
The much-maligned Fred was at fault for Rafael Benitez’s side’s goal in the 65th minute after he failed to wrestle the ball off Demarai Gray, who played a crucial role in the equaliser.
Hargreaves says the Brazilian international’s error would have cost him his spot in the starting eleven had he played under Manchester United’s legendary former manager.
“Never ever, not in a million years [should that goal be allowed to happen]," Hargreaves told Premier League Productions after the game.
“That’s what you get paid for, that’s why you’re there, that’s your job to stop that goal. I would’ve taken that personally.
“He’s got two cracks at it, and both [times] he loses. It can’t happen. Sir Alex wouldn’t forgive you for that, you wouldn’t have played for a month, seriously.
“He has to win those tackles. And if he loses it, you foul him, you bring him down. You’ve got to win that. You cannot get bumped off the ball by Demarai Gray and if he does, you foul him.
“United don’t have control of games - it’s their corner, how can a goal like that happen? I know Harry Maguire is missing and they miss his leadership but if you’re going to play two defensive midfielders in there – McTominay and Fred – that goal can’t happen.”
