Man Utd: Reporter’s attempt to speak to Erik ten Hag was incredibly awkward

If Erik ten Hag wasn’t already aware of the size of the task facing him at Manchester United, he certainly will be now after watching Sunday’s 1-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace.

The Dutch coach, 52, was in the stands at Selhurst Park to watch his new players on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign.

Wilfried Zaha scored the only goal of the game as Man Utd slumped to their 12th league defeat of a dismal season.

United ended the season with 58 points – which was enough to see them secure a place in next season’s Europa League – and a goal difference of zero.

Ten Hag, who has left Ajax after five successful seasons at the Johan Cruyff Arena, deserves respect for believing he can fix United.

It’s presumably going to take a long time to turn things around at Old Trafford, where standards have slipped to new lows during the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Gary Cotterill, one of Sky Sports’ lead reporters, attempted to speak to Ten Hag after his appearance at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Ten Hag was guarded by security as he made his way to a car and it led to one incredibly awkward video, which is currently being shared on social media.

Cotterill asked Ten Hag: “Are you excited to get started? You must be wanting to get stuck in straight away?”

His attempts to get the microphone closer to Ten Hag were thwarted by the security guard, who was having none of it.

Agitated by the security guard, Cotterill said: “Don’t push me, you’re on television.”

He added: “It’s not good being man-handled by security, Erik. Man United are a big club.”

Watch the clip here:

"Don't push me, you're on television. It doesn't look good being handled by security, Manchester United are a big club Erik!"Erik Ten Hag and his security guy not impressed with Gary