Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag makes opinion clear when asked if Mason Greenwood return decision is a distraction

Erik ten Hag spoke on whether uncertainty over Mason Greenwood's future and Manchester United's ongoing takeover situation were a distraction to the team.

On Wednesday United said no decision has yet been made about Greenwood's future, which is the "subject of intensive internal deliberation".

The forward had criminal charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, dropped earlier this year.

Meanwhile, there has also been much uncertainty regarding the Glazer family's future as owners of the Old Trafford club.

Last November, the Americans announced they were exploring strategic alternatives for United, which could result in an outright sale.

However, despite several public bids from British petrochemicals billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, there remains uncertainty regarding the Glazers' desire to sell.

Ten Hag was asked ahead of Saturday's match against Tottenham if if he was concerned by disruption off the pitch, including the ongoing internal investigation into Greenwood and the potential sale of United. Watch the video below.

“No, we focus on our way of playing. It’s about the players who are available. We are focusing on Tottenham Hotspur," said Ten Hag.

“Every start to the season is difficult, we know that. We are aware of it. We know at the start the performance wasn’t what we hoped but we won.

“We showed character and personality and that is one of the things we had to step up according to last season.”

While little news has entered the public domain regarding United's potential takeover, the club put out a statement on Greenwood's future earlier this week.

United said the "fact-finding phase" of their investigation was now complete, adding that a decision about Greenwood's future - which "ultimately rests" with chief executive officer Richard Arnold - was in the final stages.

An announcement from United on the striker's future was expected before the club's Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday, but was delayed.

United added they had gathered "extensive evidence and context not in the public domain" and spoke to "numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case".

Topics: Erik Ten Hag, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Mason Greenwood

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.