Police hit back at Mourinho after being blamed for United's late arrival

Greater Manchester Police issued a statement in response to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho's claim that the police were to blame for his team showing up late ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match at Old Trafford.

According to a statement obtained by Dan Roan of BBC News, chief inspector Andy Sutcliffe said: "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."

United arrived at the stadium 45 minutes late and were forced to request that the match be delayed five minutes to give players enough time to prepare ahead of their encounter with Valencia.

Mourinho cited the absence of a police escort as the primary reason for the team's tardiness, as United's bus was forced to make the three-mile trip from Lowry Hotel in Salford unaccompanied.

"We left the hotel at 6 p.m., hoping that 30 minutes would be enough, which normally is," Mourinho said, according to Sky News. "But this time the police refused to do an escort, so we come by ourselves."

UEFA has since opened disciplinary proceedings against United, with the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body set to deal with the incident on Oct. 18.

United went on to extend their winless streak to four matches following the goalless draw against the Spanish opposition.