After reports of player unrest, Manchester United barred journalists from a pre-game news conference with Erik ten Hag as the Dutchman spoke ahead of a latest crunch match for his troubled team.
The United manager had been confronted with stories that his methods had been called into question by sections of the locker room after a 10th defeat of the season against Newcastle last week.
“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,” United said in a statement. It did not say how long the ban would last.
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The reports claimed there were growing doubts about Ten Hag’s management style as United sit seventh in the Premier League standings and on the brink of Champions League elimination.
But, speaking ahead Thursday's game against Chelsea at Old Trafford, the former Ajax coach said his squad remained united.
“You can see you can’t play such great football as we did lately if there is no unity,” Ten Hag said.
“We are on a journey, a route, we know we are still in transition, but we are in the right direction.
“You see it how we construct a team, develop it, the team is progressing. How young players (are) coming in and you see the potential how they can contribute to a very successful Manchester United for the future.”
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It is the second time in recent weeks United has responded to negative stories about Ten Hag, having last month refuted claims it was considering replacements for the coach.
While there has been no suggestion from the club that his position is in question, reports point to a growing sense of uncertainty as Ten Hag struggles to build on the success of his first season in charge when leading United back to the Champions League and winning the League Cup.
Defeat against Chelsea would raise further doubts about his future, but Ten Hag said he was confident about the team’s progress after winning five out of its last six games in the league before Newcastle.
“Still we are in the ranking. Of course we dropped, but are not too far away so we are OK,” he said.
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