Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag avoids commenting on Mason Greenwood as star striker’s future hangs in the balance
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MAN Utd boss Erik ten Hag has today avoided commenting on Mason Greenwood as the star's future hangs in the balance.
The England striker hasn't played for Utd since he was arrested for attempted rape, assault and coercive control in January last year.
He was charged in October but the charges were dropped in February by the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Man Utd boss this afternoon gave an update on the club, with eager fans waiting to hear what the future holds for Greenwood.
However, ten Hag did not comment on the suspended striker - nor was he asked about him.
The club is expected to soon make a decision on his future and it was today revealed why the announcement was being delayed.
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Utd manager ten Hag spoke about the team's first game of the season against Wolves on Monday night, as well as saying Harry Kane's impending move to Bayern Munich was a "miss for the Premier League".
He added: "We are very confident but also I want to mention pre-season doesn't say anything, it's friendly football.
"Though I never take a game as a friendly, it's friendly in the sense of going.
"In the league, going for the points it's a different approach for both teams.
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"We are ready to go for the fight, the team is really energetic and we worked really good for pre-season and we go for it."
The United boss also said the club was happy with their new striker Rasmus Højlund.
He said: "First of all, we have chosen a striker and we are really happy with our choice.
"He's [Kane] a great striker, clear, a goal maker and apart from that he has all the conditions and abilities what you want to see in a striker. It's a miss for the Premier League, absolutely."
It comes after The Sun revealed snaps on Tuesday of Greenwood looking relaxed as he trained on a public pitch.
His dad and coach, Andrew Greenwood, instructed him and cradled the player's newborn as he ran through shooting drills with pals.
In June he worked on his close control and shooting in a 90-minute session on an £85-an-hour pitch.
It was the first time he had been pictured at a training session since his arrest.
He had grown his hair since he was last pictured — and was not wearing Nike boots after the firm ended their sponsorship deal.
Greenwood joined Utd aged just six and rose through the ranks to land himself a regular spot on the first team.
In 2019, he became the youngest footballer to play for United in the Champions League when he took to the pitch aged 17.
Greenwood has made 129 appearances in total for the Red Devils and netted 35 goals.
It comes as manager ten Hag and the majority of the first team have suggested they were open to the idea of bringing the footballer back.
But United’s women’s team were understood to have reservations, while sponsors were left concerned about being linked to the footballer.
A source said previously: “All the players believe he deserves a second chance because he’s innocent in the eyes of the law.
"He didn’t have the opportunity to clear his name in court because the charges were dropped, so the players feel like he has been left in limbo.
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“They know it will be difficult but they are willing to support him through it and protect him.
“Some of the younger players came through the academy with him so there’s a loyalty to him."