Manchester United and Valencia charged by Uefa over late Champions League kick-off

Jose Mourinho blamed Greater Manchester Police for not giving the United team bus an escort to Old Trafford that led to their late arrival

Jose Mourinho blamed Greater Manchester Police for Manchester United's late arrival to Old Trafford (Getty )

Uefa have opened disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United and Valencia after Tuesday night's Champions League encounter at Old Trafford had to be delayed by five minutes, with the home side arriving late to their own ground due to traffic in the surrounding area.

The United team bus did not arrive at the stadium until 7.15pm on Tuesday due to traffic in Manchester, which led to the kick-off being moved to 8.05pm to allow the players to warm-up sufficiently.

But even then, both sides were late out of the changing rooms, resulting in a delayed kick-off.

Uefa have announced that both clubs will face disciplinary action over the delay, with United charged over their “late team arrival” and “late kick-off”, while Valencia faces charges over the latter as well as “setting off fireworks” and “kit infringement”.

The match eventually began shortly after 8.05pm, and ended in a drab 0-0 draw that saw United jeered by sections of their own support as they left the field.

The case will go before a Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body on 18 October, five days before their next European encounter against Juventus.