Reporter jokingly calls out Erik ten Hag for arriving late to Man United press conference

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag shared a hilarious exchange with a reporter during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday morning.

The Dutchman arrived late for United’s press conference at Carrington on Tuesday and blamed a ‘VISA procedure’ for being late.

One of the journalists present jokingly asked if Ten Hag would make amends for showing up late after penalizing Marcus Rashford earlier in the season.

Ten Hag couldn’t help but laugh at the reporter’s question and said he wouldn’t be fined because it wasn’t his fault.

The exchange started when Ten Hag entered the room. He said, “I want to apologize for being late, I had to do a procedure for the VISA and there was a technical problem, that’s why.”

One of the journalists present jokingly replied to the Manchester United manager, saying: “Are you going to fine yourself then?”.

Ten Hag couldn’t help but laugh before responding, saying, ‘No fine! I couldn’t help it.

The reporters’ comment came after Ten Hag fined and dropped Rashford for oversleeping and missing a team meeting in December.

Speaking about the incident, Rashford said: “Obviously those are the rules. It’s a mistake that can happen. I was disappointed not to start but I understand the decision.

“I was happy we managed to win the game anyway, so we could draw a line under it. I was late for a meeting – I overslept.

Ten Hag was pleased with Rashford’s response having confirmed before kick-off that his absence was due to ‘internal discipline’ reasons.

“Everyone has to follow the standards and the rules, so again there have to be consequences,” the United boss said. “On the pitch there have to be consequences and I think he gave the right answer.

“I wasn’t happy with the performance in the first half. We had some good chances to score a goal. We created them and we need to be more clinical in front of goal. We know Rashy can score goals and he did when he entered.

The reporters’ comment came after Ten Hag fined and dropped Rashford for oversleeping and missing a team meeting in December

Luke Shaw hinted discipline wasn’t always so strict under Ten Hag’s predecessors Ralf Rangnick and Gunnar Solskjaer, as he backed the manager’s decision to bench Rashford.

Defender Luke Shaw hinted discipline was not always so strict under Ten Hag’s predecessors Ralf Rangnick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as he backed the manager’s decision to bench Rashford.

“At a top club like this, it has to be like that,” said Shaw, who played on the left side of central defense for the second game in a row.

“I think people can’t do whatever they want, and maybe that’s been part of the problem in the past with people getting away with stupid little things.

“The director takes all of this into consideration. As you saw today, if you don’t live up to the high standards, you won’t play.

“I think he (Rashford) is doing very well at the moment. He’s extremely confident, very positive, very happy and it’s good to see him.

“Everyone knows the quality he has. He is world class and he could be one of the best in the world if he continues. I hope he does.

Manchester United will be back in action on Wednesday against Leeds in their Premier League clash at Old Trafford.