The Manchester Evening News is among the outlets that have been banned by Manchester United from today’s press conference over coverage of their worst start to a season since the club was last relegated.
The MEN and three other outlets have been blocked from attending Erik ten Hag’s pre-match press conference for the Chelsea game on Tuesday afternoon.
Another newspaper was banned from attending a press conference last month after they wrote that Ten Hag was “on thin ice”.
A United spokesperson claims the ban has been imposed as the club was not approached for comment on a multiply-sourced story that Ten Hag is losing the confidence of some players over his tactics and signings. United insist they “regret” the ban.
United did not impose bans following last month’s story that some United players were starting to doubt Ten Hag.
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The MEN was notified of the ban by the communications director, Andrew Ward, who sits next to Ten Hag at press conferences. Ward joined the club in 2019 as head of corporate and commercial communications.
Ward replaced former press officer Karen Shotbolt last year while Ellie Norman is the chief communications officer, though is not based in Manchester.
A number of journalists have claimed Ward has stopped them from asking questions in press conferences over perceived negative coverage.
United have lost 10 games this season – the quickest they have broken double figures for defeats in a campaign since 1973-74, when they went down to the second tier.
United have spent more than £400million on signings since Ten Hag was appointed in May 2022 and are seventh in the Premier League table with a goal difference of -1, having lost six of their 14 games.
Newcastle United eliminated United from the League Cup – the only competition the club has won in the last six-and-a-half-years – last month and United are in danger of going out of the Champions League at the group stage against Bayern Munich next week.
The MEN will still provide coverage of the press conference to the best of its abilities.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
