Police hit back at Jose Mourinho after he blames them for Manchester United being late for Valencia game
Manchester United's manager claimed the team took 45 minutes longer than usual because police refused to escort them.
Wednesday 3 October 2018 22:08, UK
Police have hit back at Jose Mourinho for blaming the lack of an escort on Manchester United being late to a game.
The team arrived late for the Champions League group game against Valencia at Old Trafford on Tuesday, forcing kick-off to be delayed by five minutes to 8.05pm
Manager Mourinho claimed the team were "refused" an escort by Greater Manchester Police which meant the journey from the Lowry Hotel took 45 minutes longer than usual.
However, GMP said it is no longer obliged to give them an escort for every match - and the club were aware of the change in policy.
A statement from GMP said: "All police deployments are carried out following a comprehensive risk assessment process and specifically in respect of escort team buses, are only ever undertaken on occasions when there is intelligence or information to suggest a risk of threat or harm to the players.
"GMP has previously used police vehicles to accompany a team's coach but after a review of our core policing responsibilities it was decided that we would no longer provide this service at every fixture.
"We consulted with the relevant football clubs over a period of months to allow them adequate time to plan ahead for their journeys to the stadium.
"Every fixture is assessed individually and we will continue to work with all clubs to provide an appropriate policing response."
It has been a troubled start to the season for Mourinho, who directed thinly veiled criticism at his bosses in August over the club's failure to buy a centre-back.
There have also been public disagreements with star player Paul Pogba and, this week, club legends such as Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, who have been critical of the team's performances.
The Portuguese's mood will not have improved following the home stalemate against Valencia, which followed defeats to West Ham and Derby and a draw with Wolves.
Fans booed after the referee blew the final whistle on Tuesday night.
After the game Mourinho claimed the team had arrived late because they underestimated the time it would take without an escort.
He said: "We left the hotel at 6pm, hoping that 30 minutes would be enough, which normally is. But this time the police refused to do an escort, so we come by ourselves.
"We took from the Lowry Hotel, 75 minutes. UEFA were nice, the referee was nice to allow us to start the game five minutes later because we at least need half an hour to be prepared.
"But it was not a problem with the club organisation. We anticipate everything that it could be dangerous, in the sense of arriving late, but we were informed the police refused an escort."
United play Newcastle on Saturday at Old Trafford in the final round of Premier League fixtures before the international break.