Jose Mourinho wanted his players to follow him on foot after Manchester United’s coach got stuck in traffic – but security chiefs vetoed the request.
The Portuguese disembarked from the team bus and walked the half mile to Old Trafford ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League fixture with Juventus as the travel chaos blighting United’s preparations continued.
Mourinho’s squad, however, remained on the vehicle, leaving the manager to traipse up to the stadium on his own.
That prompted some to question the players’ support for their boss, but Sportsmail understands they had no option other than to remain on-board after security workers intervened, pointing out that they only had enough numbers available to safely escort the manager and not the rest of the squad.
As a result, Mourinho was the only one to walk the short distance through throngs of supporters.
Flanked by a burly member of security staff, the manager had no issues and arrived before the team bus for the fixture, which United lost 1-0.
The delay represented the second time United’s pre-match plans have been hit by traffic issues. The club was fined by Uefa for their previous European home match, against Valencia, after they were delayed making their way to the ground from their usual hotel, the Lowry, in Manchester city centre.
In a bid to ensure they did not experience similar issues this week, United switched hotels to the Hilton Garden Inn, at nearby Lancashire County Cricket Club, but were again hit by the crippling traffic issues in Manchester and the surrounding area.
The Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has called for a review into the situation, while United officials are continuing to look at travel plans - although there is an acceptance that, aside from having the squad do their pre-match routine at the stadium itself, there is little they can do.
Sportsmail previously revealed that a group of disgruntled United players refused to carry out sponsorship activities at a monthly event on Friday afternoon in protest at the ongoing travel issues.
CygonNavarro
0
He just a rubbish...trying to be different..
Davichi
1
That means they are not following him...
Obviously you didn't completely read the write up. The players can't just walk on the streets without proper security and the security personnel informed Mourinho that they didn't have enough security to follow everyone, so he decided to take the walk with the few security personnel while the players arrived with the team bus. This clearly shows that it wasn't the players decision, but due to security issues which Mourinho fully understood... Don't attempt to raise dust were there is none.
zaacdenr
0
thats crazy the walking time is shorter than the driving time
Jeremiahjay
0
traffic
damn man
Jeremiahjay
0
Traffic is terrible in Manchester on match days it is easy to walk
Damn man that's crazy. they may want to walk instead
posdinptz
0
That means they are not following him...
As usual
posdinptz
4
He's like Hitler lol
A1NERS
0
How do you walk 5 minutes and drive 10 minites at the same place?
Traffic is terrible in Manchester on match days it is easy to walk
Badshahking
0
How do you walk 5 minutes and drive 10 minites at the same place?
traffic
Jeremiahjay
0
How do you walk 5 minutes and drive 10 minites at the same place?
WasimRaz
0
That means they are not following him...
Jattfanmessida
0
beautiful....
Thanks
fumbpy
1
The special one,Mourinho.
the forgotten 1
JohnKpankeSunday
0
Dem own 2 plenty
zaima
0
To be fair, half a mile is literally nothing tbh. It's like a 10 minute saunter. That's the problem with footballers today, and it's not really even their fault half the time. Everything is vetoed for 'security' reasons. The truth is, the players are so detached from the fans it's laughable. It might have done them the world of good to wave to a few fans along their 10 minute walk.
Oh yes, so he did, thanks for reminding me, no one would have stood in his way either
Salina
0
Embarrassing, both on and off the pitch.
Being from Liverpool I'd say that was REALLY embarrassing..
hangaitz
4
so no need to get players we need to be sacked coming soon mou
urately
0
Build a hotel inside Old Trafford for the players then they won't be late for match day
Overpriced, good place to sleep. It's almost a hotel.
CdKeyb
1
Should have stayed at Hotel Football instead..if that also resulted in United being late,then not even God can help u!!Lol
crossover
1
How F hard can this be? Sack the simpletons at United that have messed up once again
bonding
0
Liverpool supporter here but this obviously isn't Mourinho's fault, the players were stopped from going on foot. Why is it a security risk to walk amongst your own fans, they pay their wages!
Bit too embarrassed I guess. Could you imagine Sanchez walking beside Pat the plumber from Mosside.... YNWA
lopegood
2
If only there was a hotel closer to Old Trafford that They could use for pre match meals......oh. Wait.....
KGlove
2
Proof if anything these over paid prima donnas are not behind their boss. As for their Friday protest... didums!
Washingt
3
Serious lack of discipline and leadership at this club. Man U were camped less than 10 minutes' walk from the stadium. How do teams from Europe get to OT in time for the match and Man U can't, for the second match in succession? This nonsense has absolutely nothing to do with the police.
psychology
1
To be fair to Mourinho, Brian Clough used to do it and used to get lauded for it.
OwenOwen
3
So how come the other teams are never late
Ryan122
2
How about going earlier to avoid being late?
keduo
0
Walking through the fans might have given some of these players a reality check and they might have heard some home truths
Hesslertown
0
Did I read this properly; Jose wanted them to travel to M16 on foot, if that had have happened, yes security would have been a serious issue but had this daft act taken place and Utd had lost, guess what the excuse would have been and the blame would have been deflected to the team being tired due to excess excorcise
Robindon
1
They didn't need to turn up for the 1st half, no one would have noticed!
yummyy
1
If Juventus and Valencia can get there on time through same traffic why can't Manchester United?
cape
0
Their favourite ref is howard webb and mark clattenburg no wonder they're playing like amateurs due to their 12th & 13th best player's on the pitch are no more.
Loveneuer
0
Why they having meetings in this stupid hotel? Can¿t do it at the club?
rucksack
0
Can't pay off the league anymore now can't you hahahahaha.
Loversad
0
Walk the street with people in it and not even buy clothes and stuff? The very thought......
Carolme
0
Should have stayed at Hotel Football instead..if that also resulted in United being late,then not even God can help u!!Lol
Jasonwarden
0
Should have stayed at Hotel Football instead..if that also resulted in United being late,then not even God can help u!!Lol
sadamu
0
To be fair, half a mile is literally nothing tbh. It's like a 10 minute saunter. That's the problem with footballers today, and it's not really even their fault half the time. Everything is vetoed for 'security' reasons. The truth is, the players are so detached from the fans it's laughable. It might have done them the world of good to wave to a few fans along their 10 minute walk.
UFO000
0
Comedy Central... YNWA
lifesoga
0
Embarrassing, both on and off the pitch.
Howord12
0
How about getting to the ground in the afternoon of the match and prepare there.
Stverens
1
Liverpool supporter here but this obviously isn't Mourinho's fault, the players were stopped from going on foot. Why is it a security risk to walk amongst your own fans, they pay their wages!
opaqu
0
Build a hotel inside Old Trafford for the players then they won't be late for match day
Kingstonu
0
In the 1970's whenever Leeds played away from home Don Revie would have the bus stopped half a mile from the ground and he and the team would walk the last half mile. How times change!!
ukraine
0
'I used to travel to the game on the bus with the spectators. It helped me keep my feet on the ground. We would stand on the bus and talk about the game. We appreciated them paying what we thought was an enormous amount to come and watch us play. But compared to today it was peanuts.' Sir Tom Finney 2007.
wishing
0
It was probably the players as there was no one to carry their man bags
jeersure
0
they are "superstars" they would not stoop to the levels of actually using their feet..explains why they are 10th you see.
opportun
0
Who's in charge of United? The whole club is not functioning from top to bottom. Utter disgrace.
Lincolns
0
Did Lukaku go back to the hotel at halftime???
typhoonv
0
Their favourite ref is howard webb and mark clattenburg, one have retired and the other not available anymore and due to that they play like amateurs because their 12th player on the pitch are no more. Two red nose glazers will be guessing what next to do.