Man United have banned a string of journalists but it’s not the first time the club have tried it… Sir Alex Ferguson was once caught trying to impose his own gagging order on a reporter

• Reporters from Sky Sports, The Mirror, the MEN and ESPN have been banned 
• Several reports this week have said United stars are losing faith in Ten Hag
• Manchester United have snakes in their dressing room, players who are not running. Bruce, Robson, Keane would never allow this – It’s All Kicking Off

Manchester United have banned several high-profile journalists from attending Erik ten Hag’s press conference on Tuesday and it’s something that Sir Alex Ferguson once tried to do before.

Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solekhol, the Manchester Evening News’ chief United correspondent Samuel Luckhurst, The Mirror’s David McDonnell and Rob Dawson of ESPN have all been refused entry to the media briefing at their Carrington training base ahead of Wednesday’s game against Chelsea.

The order came from Andrew Ward, United’s communications director, over what the club claimed was the reporters’ failure to contact them for comment before publication of stories.

Sir Alex once attempted to impose his own gagging order on a journalist who dared to ask him about Ryan Giggs at Manchester United’s Champions League press conference.

Ferguson was trying to minimise the fuss surrounding Giggs after he was named as the footballer who had obtained a High Court injunction to prevent details of his affair with reality TV star Imogen Thomas being published. 

Sir Alex Ferguson was once caught trying to impose his own gagging order on a reporter

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And the cameras picked up his conversation with United’s press officer after Associated Press journalist Rob Harris had questioned him about the situation.

The whispered conversation went follows:

Harris: ‘The most important experienced player in the Champions League is obviously Ryan Giggs. How important is he for the team on Saturday?’

Ferguson: ‘All the players are important to us.’

Ferguson (to press officer): ‘The guy that asked the question about Giggsy… the press conference.’

Press officer: ‘Which one?’

Ferguson: ‘Him that asked the question… who?’

Press officer: ‘Oh yeah. I’ll tell you later.’

Ferguson: ‘Who?’

Press officer: ‘I’ll tell you later.’

Ferguson: ‘Is he coming on Friday’

Press officer: ‘The guy with the laptop?’

Ferguson: ‘Aye. Then we’ll get him. Ban him on Friday.’

United have banned several journalists from attending Erik ten Hag ‘s press conference

Several outlets this week have reported that United’s stars are losing faith in Ten Hag amid the club’s dismal showing so far this season.

United have already lost 10 matches despite an outlay of more than £180m in the summer transfer window, although they have been dealing with injuries to several key players.

The MEN reported on Tuesday that several senior players have been left startled at the poor quality of signings made by the Dutch manager, including £72million Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, £60m Mason Mount and Antony, who joined from Ajax for £82m. They insist the story was ‘well-sourced’.

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