'I owed him one' - why Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag gave Paul Ince a bottle of wine before Brighton game

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gifted Paul Ince a bottle of wine before the Reds' Premier League clash with Brighton on Thursday night.

Ince, who was sacked by Reading last month, was on punditry duty for Sky Sports when Ten Hag conducted his pre-match interview with the broadcaster. As the Dutchman walked out onto the pitch at the Amex, he handed Ince a bottle of wine.

Ten Hag suggested his gift was an apology to the former Royals manager as he was unable to have a drink with him after the Reds' FA Cup clash with the Championship side in January. United secured a 3-1 victory over Reading earlier this year thanks to goals from Casemiro (2) and Fred.

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After the clash, Ince claimed he was shown a "lack of respect" by United's coaching staff, suggesting he had not been invited for a drink with Ten Hag and his team.

"I went straight up to see Sir Alex [Ferguson] because I got a text from him afterwards to say 'come up and see me'," Ince explained. "So myself, my wife and Thomas [Ince] went up there and spent an hour with him. It disappointed me because none of the United staff asked me in for a glass of wine. I didn't like that, it's a lack of respect.

"Whoever it is, win, lose or draw, you say pop in for a drink. Whether it's wine or tea it doesn't really matter. None of their staff did that so that was disappointing. I couldn't give a monkey’s but I just pride it on myself, as a manager, whether or not you get beaten, you say come in for a glass of wine."

However, Ten Hag has now made it up to Ince, with the latter accepting that the Dutchman was simply too busy to stop and have a chat, while also thanking him for the kind gesture.

Ince said: "Normally when I manage,