Erik ten Hag backed Marc Overmars over genitals photos scandal
Even by Manchester United's standards it has been a dramatic and distracting start to the season at Old Trafford.
A club that is never far from the headlines has found itself under intense public scrutiny over its handling of the Mason Greenwood affair followed quickly by allegations that Brazil star Antony attacked his ex-girlfriend and two other women.
United were criticised for planning to re-integrate Greenwood following a six-month club investigation and the decision by the Crown Prosecution Services to drop charges of attempted rape and assault against the 21-year-old. Greenwood, who denies any wrongdoing, has now been sent on loan to Getafe to rebuild his career away from Old Trafford.
Antony, meanwhile, has refuted allegations by his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin that he assaulted her on four occasions. Cavallin has also accused United of trying to cover up one of the attacks at a Manchester hotel in January, a claim the club say is 'categorically false'.
Two more women, Rayssa de Freitas and Ingrid Lana, have now come forward in Brazil accusing Antony of violent behaviour towards them.
Damaging off-the-field distractions are the last thing Erik ten Hag needs as the United manager tries to navigate his way through an underwhelming start to the season that has brought two defeats in the first four games and been further complicated by his public fall-out with Jadon Sancho.
Ten Hag conducted himself with professionalism and poise throughout the Greenwood saga, and will no doubt have to do so again when United return after the international break as he faces the inevitable questions over the allegations being levelled at Antony.
The Brazil winger followed his manager to United from Ajax in a £85million deal last summer
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
