Ten Hag stays silent on Greenwood with Man Utd´s full focus on Crystal Palace

Erik ten Hag’s full focus is on maintaining Manchester United’s impressive form on the field, with the Dutchman unable to comment on Mason Greenwood’s future at the club.

United forward Greenwood had all charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Thursday following the “withdrawal of key witnesses”.

Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 and due to stand trial in November on accusations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.

The 21-year-old said in a widely released statement that he was “relieved” the matter is over, while United said the club will “conduct its own process” before commenting further.

Ten Hag faced the media on Friday ahead of United’s Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace and was asked whether he had any comments to make on Greenwood.

“Nothing. I can’t add anything. I refer to the statement of the club,” Ten Hag said.

Asked if he will be part of the process that decides Greenwood’s Old Trafford future, Ten Hag said: “In this moment, I can’t give comment about the process.”

The former Ajax boss was then questioned on whether he has ever personally met Greenwood, who has been suspended by United since his arrest a little over 12 months ago.

“I can’t say anything about it. I refer to the statement of the club and at this moment I can’t add anything.”

Let’s go, @Casemiro! #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/3LmXCFvTQg

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 3, 2023

Ten Hag was more willing to discuss next opponents Palace, who held United to a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park prior to the Red Devils’ 3-2 loss at Arsenal last time out in the league.

“We have always to focus on the game, no matter what, it is our job,” he told reporters. “Two weeks ago we had a bad performance against them.

“I wasn’t happy with the performance from us. We only had 90 per cent focus and energy and we dropped two points.

“[On Saturday] we need a better game, better focus in the game, better conduct in the way of play because we have to beat them – that’s quite clear.”

United have won just one of their last five league meetings with Palace and are winless in the past two – not since October 1970 have they gone three in a row without a victory in this fixture in the top flight.

However, United have won their past five Premier League home games, which is their best streak since a run of eight between May and December 2017.

Ten Hag’s side have won three successive cup games since their most recent league match and bolstered their squad with the loan signing of Marcel Sabitzer this week after Christian Eriksen was ruled out for three months.

The Bayern Munich midfielder has only trained once with his new club, but Ten Hag is ready to use him against Palace on Saturday.

“You can see he’s a very fit player. I didn’t expect anything else coming from Bayern Munich,” he said. “I think he is ready to play.

“I think he’s a really smart player and I think we gave him some guidance, but he knows what to do, he knows the job.”