Manchester United have been charged by Uefa for their late arrival at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The United squad showed up just 45 minutes ahead of the scheduled kick-off time for their home Champions League clash with Valencia.
The game had to be delayed to 8.05pm but, even with the new agreed time, both teams were late leaving the dressing rooms at Old Trafford.
Manager Jose Mourinho blamed the police for the late arrival, claiming that Greater Manchester Police’s refusal to provide an escort from the Lowry Hotel to the stadium – a trip which is less than 3 miles – was the reason it took 75 minutes to get to the ground.
“We left the hotel at six o’clock, hoping that 30 minutes would be enough,” Mourinho said.
“Which normally is but this time the police refused to do an escort so we come by ourselves. And we took from the Lowry Hotel, 75 minutes.
“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 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.”
Greater Manchester Police released a statement on Wednesday morning in which they explained that clubs had been made aware that a police escort could not be provided for every home fixture and that they should plan accordingly.
Valencia have also been charged for fireworks and a kit infringement following the 0-0 draw.
