Erik ten Hag responds to Sky Sports journalist who is BANNED from Man United press conferences

Erik ten Hag has responded to the Sky Sports journalist that was banned from his Manchester United press conferences, offering him a meeting to squash the issue.

Gary Cotterill had attempted to ask the manager a question ahead of United's win against Southampton, but was denied the opportunity by the club media staff.

Ten Hag had refused to answer any questions from Cotterill.

According to the Daily Mail, United's manager was still unhappy with the journalist after he pestered him for an interview whilst at the Ajax training centre in April during the back-end of his last season in the Eredivisie.

🗣 "It's surprising to me that he looked surprised that the biggest football channel in England came to see how he was, maybe a little bit of adaption coming to him."@gary_cotterill on Erik ten Hag swerving his questions about Man United pic.twitter.com/nPPMLFqgC2

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) April 22, 2022

He also avoided Cotterill when at Crystal Palace away on the closing day of United's 2021/22 campaign.

The journalist was following Ten Hag back to his car following the 1-0 loss for Ralf Rangnick's side. His security ensured Cotterill did not get into the manager's personal space, which he did not appreciate.

United endured a difficult start to the season, with back-to-back losses against Brighton and Brentford.

Following the 4-0 defeat against Thomas Frank's men, Cotterill mocked Ten Hag in a tweet.

#karma 😌

— Gary Cotterill (@gary_cotterill) August 13, 2022

This was reportedly another reason why he was denied the chance to quiz the manager a couple of weeks back.

However, the aforementioned Daily Mail report states that Ten Hag is looking for a clean slate with Cotterill.

A conversation between the pair to smooth things out are due to happen in the next few weeks.

Cotterill is understood to be receptive to the peace offering from the manager.

Ten Hag's authority showed a similar side to Sir Alex Ferguson within the media, but this also gives him the chance to show another side to his personality. If negativity from Cotterill continues, or comes from another journalist, he won't be shy to give them the same treatment.

United have not restricted access to the club for any other Sky reporters, but have expressed unhappiness at some of Sky's criticisms of the Glazer family.

Following news that Sir Jim Ratcliffe would like to purchase the Old Trafford club, protests against the current ownership has skyrocketed. Sky have been at the forefront of the coverage from a global scale.

United's next fixture comes against Arsenal, who are yet to lose a game in the Premier League this season.