If you don't understand that the media and football are incredibly intertwined, you don't understand the game. It's not just a sport anymore, it's about narrative, hype and above all entertainment - that's what pays the bills.
This is incredibly naive of United. Fergie could go apocalyptic at the press because the British press needed United more than United needed them. That is sadly no longer true. The press control the narrative. A more saavy institution would understand this. I've been hammering about this for years in the refereeing/VAR thread. If you think that Klopp's reaction to decisions - in the press - do not influence matches, you're wrong.
City basically buy the press. Beautiful receptison for them, lovely spreads at games, lots of pampering - and lo and behold, the press treat them accordingly. By antagonising the press - especially right now - all we're going to do is increase the negativity, increase the pressure on ETH and increase the feeling of players that do read the news that it's beyond repair.
It's an own goal of the highest order - and fits right in with how we're run these days.
The British press are one of the most detestable groups on the face of the planet, but ignoring their impact is just stupid.