Erik ten Hag finds himself embroiled in a feud with Sky Sports' Gary Cotterill.Ten Hag snubbed Cotterill when he tried to ask a question in the press conference preceding United's trip to St. Mary's this weekend, following on from previous encounters between the pair.The Manchester United manager had security bat the reporter upon arriving to London for United's final fixture last season, watching on from the stands as they lost to Crystal Palace.It was there where Cotterill tried to question Ten Hag but was unsuccessful, prompting a somewhat frustrated response as he ranted about it not being a good look for him to be pushed on television.Since the spat, United have officially gotten underway with their new manager, embarking on a successful pre-season tour and getting the 2022/23 campaign going, albeit in rather shaky style.
Cotterill's response to Ten Hag's start
United lost their first two games of the season and appeared completely shell-shocked in both, getting outplayed at home to Brighton in a 2-1 defeat before being ripped apart in a humiliating 4-0 mauling away to Brentford.
They crucially managed to bounce back with a 2-1 victory at home to Liverpool after such a poor start, but before that first win of the season was achieved, Cotterill had his say on Twitter after the Brentford game, having not forgotten about their previous encounters.
Possibly still upset with his previous, failed encounters to get answers out of Ten Hag, Cotterill tweeted after United lost 4-0 to Brentford, which fans have assumed was pointed towards the crushing loss. Check out the tweet below.
How did Cotterill and Ten Hag's feud begin?
Many believe that Cotterill's interaction with Ten Hag at Selhurst Park in May was the catalyst for a feud which has since seen Ten Hag refuse to answer his questions in press conferences.
However, footage has resurfaced on Twitter from @TenHagBall which appears to show Cotterill back in April of this year - a month before the snub at Palace - where he had travelled to Amsterdam in an attempt to interview Ten Hag while he was still very much in charge of Ajax.
Cotterill desperately tries to get comments from the Dutchman, who puts his hand up and gestures him to back off, before hastily driving away. It results in a rather hilarious, but also awkward few seconds of footage. Take a look below.
WATCH: Ten Hag leaves Cotterill hanging in April
United fans are absolutely loving the clip. Cotterill is unsuccessful in his attempts to pull answers out of Ten Hag, and is left desperately holding up the microphone as he drives away.
Let's see how they responded.
It's clear to see why United fans love seeing Ten Hag taking no stick from reporters. It's all too easy for the media to create a pile on and lump pressure onto him from the off - as is the case with any new manager - but fans are seeing through it.
Ten Hag has had far from the easiest start to life as United manager with a difficult start in the league coinciding with an equally as frustrating transfer window, but fans are trusting the process and believe he is the man for the job, despite the club's failures in other areas to properly help him settle in.
But seeing how he is ruling with an iron fist in press conferences is a positive sign for fans. Of course, getting wrapped up in a petty feud with a reporter is the last thing he or the club needs, but seeing him stand up for himself and not get swallowed by the media is encouraging for United fans.