Why Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has banned media outlets ahead of Chelsea game

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reacted to reports that he's lost 50 % of the dressing room by banning journalists and media organisations ahead of their game against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Four media outlets are reported to have been banned from today's press conference over coverage of their troubled start to the campaign.

They have also been blocked from attending Erik ten Hag's pre-match press conference for the Chelsea game on Tuesday evening.

There are reports that another newspaper was banned from attending a press conference last month after they wrote that Ten Hag was "on thin ice" and on the verge of being sacked.

Why they have been banned

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 his players.

Chelsea have won just five games in the league and lost five but the happenings in Manchester should be a boost given all the distractions United have at the moment coming into the game.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been tasked with re-building the Blues after they fell to 12th on the league table last season, and despite what has been a challenging campaign so far, the signs are that he is doing decent work.

A win against Manchester United at Old Trafford will be the first since 2013 and will further boost their growing form and confidence.