Erik ten Hag says Aaron Wan-Bissaka could recover from illness in time for Manchester United’s trip to Elland Road to face Leeds.
Wan-Bissaka missed Wednesday night’s meeting between the sides, with Diogo Dalot coming in for a first start since his injury.
The whole right hand side of the team was changed, with Antony out too, and Ten Hag decided to move Marcus Rashford to that flank.
Ten Hag was asked by United’s official website ahead of the game whether Wan-Bissaka would be fit to play tomorrow, and said he is hopeful.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty ImagesErik ten Hag says Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be back to face Leeds
“I expect this squad is the same [as it was on Wednesday], except I hope Aaron Wan-Bissaka can return,” He said.
“(Wednesday) he wasn’t there by illness, so I hope he can return for Sunday.
“It’s like, this moment for the players, it’s all about recovery, recovery sessions, sleep, food and prepare for the next game.
“This is the rhythm we are in, and players like to do that, play football games, it betters training, so in this moment we are happy to do it.”
Wan-Bissaka has performed impressively in recent weeks, improving his attacking output, although he did go to sleep for a goal at Arsenal in United’s last Premier League away game.
His return would give Ten Hag a bit of a headache over whether to go for the more adventurous Dalot or the greater tackling ability of Wan-Bissaka.
He needs to get that balance spot on over on that right hand side of the pitch because it was a bit off on Wednesday, especially in the first half.
United started both halves sluggishly in midweek and paid for it, and the atmosphere will be hostile at Elland Road tomorrow, getting the home side even more up for it.
Erik ten Hag’s ‘call’ with Mason Greenwood revealed as ‘four options’ emerge for Man Utd exit
According to reports, Man Utd head coach Erik ten Hag has had a “call” with Mason Greenwood and “enquired how he was feeling physically and mentally”.
At the start of this month, it was revealed that charges including attempted rape and assault against Greenwood have been discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.
A spokesperson for the CPS said: “In this case, a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.
We have explained our decision to all parties. We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
It was subsequently revealed that Man Utd would carry out their own internal investigation before they decide whether to let Greenwood play for the club again.
His potential return has ‘split’ the staff at Man Utd, but The Sun are reporting that Greenwood has now ‘spoken with’ Ten Hag for the first time since the charges against him were dropped.
It is said that prior to this call, Ten Hag had not spoken with Greenwood before as previous contact with the club has ‘been through a third party’.
A source told The Sun that Ten Hag made it clear that it will be the club who “decide if he can play for United again”.
“Mason has spent a long time with very little — if any — contact from the club. As and when they were in touch, it was never direct and always through a third party. So for the manager to call him was a big step for him and one he really appreciated,” the Sun’s source said.
“The manager enquired how he was feeling physically and mentally and said he was pleased the charges had been dropped.
“He thought it was the right thing to do to get in touch with Mason.
“But he was clear it will be the club rather than him which will decide if Mason can play for United again.”
They continued: “Mason’s spirits were lifted by it. He has been at United since he was six and just wants to get back to playing football for them.
“He is happiest with a ball at his feet and wants to get his career back on track.
“But he knows the club has a massive decision to make.”
A separate report from The Mirror adds that Greenwood has ‘four options’ should he depart Man Utd.
‘A move to mainland Europe, joining a club in the MLS, moving to the Middle East or joining a side in the Chinese Super League’ would be on the agenda for Greenwood.
It is noted that if he was to join the Far East, ‘he would have to accept a notable reduction on his £75,000 weekly wage’ with salaries in China capped at £50,000.
Source: unitedinfocus.com; football365.com
