Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has dismissed recent stories regarding player unrest at the club as ‘not true’ with The Red Devils banning certain members of the media.
Ahead of ten Hag’s pre-match press conference for United’s clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening, it was revealed that the Manchester Evening News (MEN), among others, had been banned from the press conference.
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The former Ajax boss criticised recent reports that had suggested several players were siding with Jadon Sancho in their rift and that many of the squad had begun to question the methods of the manager.
The 53-year-old said he was ‘sure’ that ‘the players are behind’ him and outlined reasons as to why certain members of the media had been banned:
“They should have come to us first and not go behind our back printing articles that is not the right thing. We have a good relationship, they come to us beforehand, we have a debate about it,”
He added: “Stories in the media about players are not true. No chaos in the dressing room. In every team there are always players who are not playing or playing less who are less happy. In some circumstances you need that, they have to wait for their chance. But no, there are no issues.”
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United at the weekend in a game whereby many would suggest the result heavily flattered Erik ten Hag’s side.
They have managed just ten victories in 21 matches across all competitions so far this season with eight of those victories coming by just a single goal and several of those wins requiring a dramatic turnaround or last-gasp winner.
They look likely to be heading out of the UEFA Champions League at the group stage, have been knocked out of the EFL Cup and currently sit nine points behind Arsenal at the top-of-the-table; five behind the top four.
