Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag responds to Mason Greenwood question ahead of Tottenham clash

Man Utd Mason Greenwood

Man Utd striker Mason Greenwood remains suspended by the club

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 18/08/2023

- 13:47

Updated: 18/08/2023

- 13:58

The 21-year-old remains suspended by the club

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insisted there was no update on Mason Greenwood ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Tottenham on Saturday.

Speculation is mounting that the England international will return to the fold, having last played for the club in January 2022.


Greenwood was arrested for attempted rape and assault but, in February this year, those charges were dropped.

Earlier in the week it was claimed that United had informed staff to prepare for the striker's return.

Man Utd Erik ten Hag

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has opened up ahead of Tottenham showdown

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But Ten Hag insisted there was no update on the player's situation.

Speaking at his press conference, he said: "No, we focus on the way of playing, we focus on the team performance.

"It is about the players who are available, so we focus on Tottenham.

"Every start to the season is difficult, we know that, we are really aware of it, so the performance (against Wolves on Monday) was not what we hoped but we won, we showed the personality and the character and that is one of the things we had to step up according to last season."

Harry Maguire's long-term future remains uncertain, with the defender's move to West Ham falling through.

And Ten Hag insists he's happy the defender, at least for now, will be staying at Old Trafford instead of moving to the London Stadium.

"It's up to him," he said curtly when asked how much game time Maguire can expect this season.

"He knows what I expect from him.

"I've been here for one year now and you know what I expect from a centre half.

"And he can do it, I've told you many times before he has the ability to do it so now he has to show it.

"It is then about character, to be convinced to play that role, he has all the abilities to do it and it is up to him when the time [opportunity] is there.

"Harry is a player for us, I am happy he is here, we need a good squad, we have four good centre halves - including Luke Shaw we have five - and we need it because we are going to play 50-60 games this season.

"All the players are internationals, so we have a very heavy load to cover so I am happy Harry Maguire is here."

While Maguire is set to stay, United are also in talks with Jonny Evans over a short-term deal with the club.

The former Leicester star was part of the Red Devils' squad for their recent pre-season tour of the United States.

"Of course, otherwise we would not be talking," he said when asked if he wants Evans to return for a second stint at United.

"No it does it affect it, we will see, we are in talks and when we have news we will bring it as always.

"For this month he is under contract but we are talking."

United will be hoping to improve their away form against the big teams in the Premier League this season.

They failed to beat Tottenham when the two sides last met back in April.

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Man Utd Jonny Evans

Man Utd are in talks with Jonny Evans over a short-term contract

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And Ten Hag added: "It is one of the aims we have for this season that we have to step up in away games to get more points to bring higher levels, because that is the foundation of course for more points.

"So it is often to do with personality. So that is the demand from me for the players that we have to show more personality on the pitch to win such games and to gather more points in away games."

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