Erik ten Hag doesn’t believe Mason Greenwood’s possible return to the team will distract his players.
Greenwood, 21, has been suspended by the club since January last year after being arrested for attempted rape and assault.
Those charges were dropped in February by the Crown Prosecution Service, but this does not make him innocent.
Eighteen months on and it sounds like Greenwood will get a second chance at Old Trafford, which has let to a backlash from a large section of the fanbase.
TV presenter Rachel Riley has stressed she will no longer support United if Greenwood is brought back and there were protests against Greenwood’s return outside Old Trafford on Monday night.
But speaking to reporters ahead of United’s trip to Tottenham, Ten Hag said he and the team won’t be distracted by off-field issues.
Ten Hag said (via The Sun): “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 of the season is difficult. We know that, we are really aware of it. The (Wolves) performance was not what we hoped but we won.”
Stretty News verdict
I don’t agree with Ten Hag that this won’t prove to be a distraction for the players.
There is a risk that even our own fans at Old Trafford could derail the connection between the team and the fans he has built over the past season.
This could easily affect the rest of the team and its level of performance.
Get the latest Manchester United news, opinion, interviews and exclusive features with the Stretty Newsletter – Ad Free! Kick off your afternoon with the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
Have been a man utd supporter for nearly 50 years. If Greenwood çomes back will stop supporting them
I supported utd for 55 years we need that guy his good