Erik ten Hag says he has given his recommendations on what should happen to Mason Greenwood but has insisted he will abide by any decision the club makes over the striker’s future at Manchester United.
The United manager also revealed that he plans to speak to the Glazers about the ownership situation during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
United are expected to announce the outcome of their six-month internal investigation into Greenwood before the start of the new Premier League season in three weeks time.
Ten Hag is thought to be open to keeping Greenwood after being asked for his opinions during the investigation, which commenced in February after the Crown Prosecution Service announced that charges of attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour against the 21-year-old striker had been dropped.
Greenwood has been suspended by United since January 2022 after he was first arrested by Greater Manchester Police. He has been training privately with United’s blessing in a bid to keep fit and was recently pictured undergoing a private training session at a public sports centre.
“It’s a club decision,” Ten Hag said when asked how he saw Greenwood’s future panning out. “Of course I have said my ideas and opinions but it’s a club decision. We all have to accept that.”
Asked if he would like to keep Greenwood, the United manager added: “I can’t say so much about it. But what I say is I shared my opinion about it so let’s see what’s going to happen and what the decision will be.”
The discussions over Greenwood come as United — who face Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday night — search for a new striker this summer. United are in talks with Atalanta over a deal for the Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, their first-choice target after backing away from a move for Harry Kane, and are also holding concurrent discussions over Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.
“We do everything that’s in our power to get the right man in,” said Ten Hag, who admitted United must “raise the bar” next season. “We put every effort in to get this done because it’s an area where we need improvement.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Hamad bin Al Thani, both of whom have made bids to buy United, are continuing to wait for the Glazers to make a decision on the future of the club. Ten Hag hopes to discuss the situation with the owners over the next 10 days.
“I’m more often in contact with them so this is a good opportunity to share ideas and we can talk informally,” Ten Hag said when asked if he would seek clarity from the owners on the takeover situation. “It is obvious I can give advice and recommendations but the decision is on the club.”
Meanwhile, Ten Hag admitted it was “natural” Harry Maguire would be disappointed about losing the captaincy but believes the England defender will continue to fight for his place, despite uncertainty over his future. Bruno Fernandes, Maguire’s replacement as captain, said the armband came with “big responsibility” and that being awarded the honour was “above your dreams”.
