Erik ten Hag snubs Man Utd press conference as problems mount at Old Trafford

MIRROR

Erik ten Hag has chosen not to speak to the media ahead of Manchester United’s crucial Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle.

The Red Devils are under huge pressure to respond to Sunday’s comprehensive 3-0 loss at home to arch rivals Manchester City. Ten Hag himself is facing more criticism than ever, with his position as manager being vigorously debated in the wake of another derby demolition at Old Trafford.

As the post-mortem quickly began, United legend Roy Keane called for Bruno Fernandes to be stripped of the captaincy following his petulant performance. Fellow ex-skipper Gary Neville also launched another tirade on the club’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family, and struggling star Marcus Rashford was allegedly spotted partying in Manchester with teammate Tyrell Malacia just hours after the humiliating defeat, risking Ten Hag’s wrath.

But we won’t hear from the Dutchman at a pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s tie, allowing him to avoid contentious topics such as Rashford and Malacia’s revelry. Unlike in the Premier League, teams aren’t obliged to speak to a media audience before Carabao Cup fixtures.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp regularly sends his assistant, Pep Lijnders, to do their pre-match media duties for cup games. Last term, Ten Hag only arranged press conferences to preview the two semi-final legs against Nottingham Forest and ahead of the final in February, which his side ended up beating Newcastle 2-0 in at Wembley.

This season seems to be following the same pattern. The former Ajax manager didn’t hold a press conference ahead of the Red Devils’ third-round clash with Crystal Palace in September and there’ll also be no formal look ahead to the Newcastle game.

Sometimes managers use the second half of a post-match press conference to discuss an upcoming fixture only a few days later, but that wasn’t the case after Sunday’s loss. Ten Hag could still speak to the Red Devils’ in-house media team to give supporters an update on team news and other issues ahead of Wednesday’s 8:15pm kick-off.

Mirror Football understands that United aren’t happy with Premier League plans for more interview access to be written into TV contracts, as part of the upcoming rights deals. The Red Devils face more media attention than any other club, with Ten Hag notably giving fewer interviews to broadcast companies this season, a campaign which for United has got off to a woeful start.

The 20-time English champions have lost five of their opening 10 top-flight games for the first time since 1986. Ten Hag’s men also only have one win from their opening three matches in the Champions League, leaving them third in Group A and on course to be relegated to the Europa League.