Manchester United unlikely to face UEFA action over late arrival at Old Trafford | Football News

Manchester United are unlikely to face UEFA action despite arriving late for their Champions League match against Valencia, Sky Sports News understands.

United’s coach was stuck in heavy traffic, with their 2.9-mile journey from the Lowry Hotel to Old Trafford taking 75 minutes, forcing kick-off for their group H game to be put back five minutes to 8.05pm.

However, because it is United’s first offence of this nature, UEFA rules state the club and manager will be issued with an official warning.

A second offence of a similar nature would lead to a €10,000 (£8,909) fine, and the manager being issued with a one-match probation period.

UEFA say they are awaiting reports from the referee and from their officials at the game before contacting United.

The club blamed “significant traffic congestion” for their late arrival while manager Jose Mourinho blamed the police for not providing them with an escort.

“We left the hotel at six o’clock, hoping that 30 minutes would be enough,” said Mourinho. “It normally is but this time the police refused to do an escort so we came by ourselves. And it took 75 minutes from the Lowry Hotel.

“And 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.”

In response, chief Inspector Andy Sutcliffe, Greater Manchester Police’s Silver Commander for the game, told Sky Sports News: “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.”

The game ended goalless and was United’s fourth home game without a win, following a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham, a penalty-shoot-out loss to Derby and a 1-1 draw with Wolves.

United are now without a win at Old Trafford in all competitions since the opening day of the season, when they secured a 2-1 win over Leicester.