Manchester United have reportedly banned a host of reporters from attending and covering Erik ten Hag’s pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League match against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
The Manchester Evening News and three other media outlets were restricted from attending Ten Hag’s media briefing on Tuesday, December 5.
According to Liverpool Echo, Manchester United’s Communications Director, Andrew Ward, who frequently sits next to Ten Hag at press conferences, reportedly informed the Manchester Evening News of the ban.
According to a Man United representative, the suspension was put in place because the team was not contacted for comment on a story citing several sources that claimed some players were losing faith in Ten Hag because of his signings and tactics.
Liverpool Echo also reported that another newspaper that wrote that Ten Hag was “on thin ice” last month was denied access to the club’s press conference. However, many journalists have also stated that Ward prevented them from raising concerns about the alleged adverse coverage during press conferences.
The Red Devils will travel to Anfield for a mouth-watering clash against Liverpool on Sunday, December 17. However, before that, they will host Chelsea, and Bournemouth in the Premier League and Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
Newcastle United defeated Manchester United 1-0 on Saturday night which subsequently left the Ten Hag’s team in 7th position in the table. The 20-time English league champions are currently having their worst start to a season since the club was last demoted in the 1973-74 season.
Man United are already out of the Carabao Cup, having suffered a 3-0 loss to the Magpies at Old Trafford in the 4th round of the competition. They are also on the verge of elimination from the Champions League.
By Habeeb Kuranga
