A number of football writers have been barred from the press conference of Man United manager Erik ten Hag this afternoon, ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekhol, Manchester Evening News' chief Manchester United reporter Samuel Luckhurst, The Mirror's David McDonnell, and Rob Dawson of ESPN have all been blocked after reporting on dissent towards ten Hag within the Man United camp.
Pressure Increases On Erik Ten Hag After Unsettling Reports
United lie 7th in the Premier League and are on the verge of being knocked out of the Champions League, with players reportedly unhappy with the manager's tactics.
Reports have also stated that squad members are displeased with ten Hag over his treatment of dropped players such as Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, and unsuccessful, high profile signings including Mason Mount, Antony, and Rasmus Hojlund.
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Erik ten Hag facing increasing discontent from several disillusioned members of Man Utd squad ahead of a crunch run of games #MUFC @MirrorFootball @MirrorSport @DailyMirror https://t.co/3k0qLnSxcX
— David McDonnell (@DiscoMirror) December 4, 2023
Jadon Sancho is said to have maintained his fitness and is “training like a beast” according to one source, with several of his team-mates wanting to see him reintegrated back into Ten Hag's squad. [@DiscoMirror] pic.twitter.com/2y4bp4saWQ
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) December 4, 2023
The MEN and other outlets have been banned from Ten Hag's press conference today by #mufc comms director Andrew Ward https://t.co/wBEcIZt3rf
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 5, 2023
Luckhurst, who is generally first with news from inside the Man United camp, wrote the following this morning:
"Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is losing the confidence of players and some staff members as the club's season continues to spiral.
"It is understood some staff members and a mounting list of players harbour doubts about his methods as he struggles to salvage United's season.
"A dressing room source said the situation is "so bad" while some senior United players have expressed concern at the direction of the club.
"Some time-served players are startled by the calibre of ten Hag's signings. One is believed to be particularly perplexed by the addition of the callow Rasmus Hojlund, a £72million signing from Atalanta who is yet to score in the Premier League."
Man United have released the following statement explaining their decision to ban the journalists:
"We're taking action against a number of news organisations today, not for publishing stories we don't like, but for doing so without contacting us first to give us the opportunity to comment, challenge or contextualise.
"We believe this is an important principle to defend and we hope it can lead to a re-set in the way we work together."
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