Ten Hag ‘EXPECTED’ to have Greenwood
Robin Bairner
- 22 Sept 2023 11:50 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag “expected” that Mason Greenwood would play for the club this season, despite the off-field problems of the once-capped England international attacker.
Greenwood had charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm dropped earlier this year but was subject to a long internal investigation within the club to determine his future.
Although Man Utd pardoned the 21-year-old in an official statement, the club sent him on loan to Getafe in LaLiga for the season.
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This apparently took Ten Hag by surprise, with the former Ajax boss apparently ready to welcome Greenwood back into the fold. The Manchester Evening News states that he “expected” to have the player available.
Greenwood, meanwhile, has only played once so far in Spain but that appearance attracted controversy as fans from Osasuna chanted: “Die Mason Greenwood”.
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Ten Hag had planned with Greenwood
Back at Man Utd, the absence of the winger has become problematic for a squad that is short of left-footed right wingers.
Antony is presently embroiled in a domestic abuse scandal of his own – he denies the charges – and has been placed on indefinite leave by the Red Devils.
This has left Tan Hag without the profile of player that he wants to field in that role, and it could force summer signing Mason Mount into that position on a semi-permanent basis. Mount was signed to play as a central midfielder, however.
These problems have come all the more into focus because of Manchester United’s current wretched form, which has seen them four of their last five matches in what has been a disastrous start to the season.
United have conceded at least two goals in each of these games, and though they have twice scored three during this run, Ten Hag’s attack is clearly some distance away from playing as it should.
