Erik ten Hag 'will have no say in Mason Greenwood decision' after avoiding Man Utd axe

Erik ten Hag will be pressing forward with plans to reshape his Manchester United squad alongside discussions over a new contract at Old Trafford. But Michael Owen believes one of the more significant moves of the summer transfer window will be out of the Dutchman’s hands.

Mason Greenwood will return to United this summer following a successful season-long loan at La Liga side Getafe.

However, the 22-year-old forward is widely expected to depart permanently despite the club’s need for attacking reinforcements.

Greenwood registered 10 goals and six assists in 32 appearances in Spain, having moved to Madrid on transfer deadline day last summer.

United decided it would be best for their former No. 11 to continue his career elsewhere after 18 months away from the pitch.

Greenwood hasn’t played for United since January 2022, when he was arrested and later charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He denied all of the charges, and in February 2023, they were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence coming to light.

Ten Hag was reportedly keen to reintegrate him into his squad before then-chief executive Richard Arnold performed a U-turn on return plans after internal and external backlash.

United, now under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ stewardship, are expected to cash in on Greenwood this summer to boost their transfer kitty.

And even if Ten Hag wanted the Bradford-born goalscorer to stay, Owen isn’t sure he will have much say in the matter as United’s new hierarchy looks to move on.

“Well, that’s not footballing reasons [Greenwood’s exit], I suppose, is it. That’s sort of more, higher level, and what the club wants to do from a higher level,” Owen told Express Sport on behalf of Ace Odds.

“That’s sort of out of the remit, I guess, of someone like Ten Hag even, the manager or the playing staff or anything else like that.

“I would guess that’s going to be a decision for the board-level type of thing. Because there will be repercussions if they introduced him back, I guess, so that’s a board-level thing.”

Greenwood joins Casemiro and Jadon Sancho as players for whom United are set to receive significant transfer fees this summer.

They will likely be a part of a planned clearout, started by Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial’s exits as free agents.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are also said to be among those in the shop window.