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.LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Manager of Manchester United Ralf Rangnick shakes hands with manager Patrick Vieira of Crystal Palace after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on May 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

Sky reporter's awkward attempts to speak to Erik ten Hag

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:

Oh dear.

Ten Hag was clearly in no mood to speak. He must have had a million and one things racing through his mind after watching his new team struggle against Palace.

His job on rebuilding the team starts now - and make no mistake about it: he’ll be under pressure to deliver improvements from day one of the 2022-23 season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Erik ten Hag, new Manager of Manchester United takes selfies with fans during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on May 22, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)