Manchester United have delayed announcing a decision over the future of Mason Greenwood and it is now possible there will be no resolution until the September international break.
Greenwood, 21, has been the subject of an internal investigation from United since February when the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) discontinued its case against him for attempted rape, assault, and coercive control concluding there was “no longer a realistic prospect of conviction” after key witnesses withdrew their cooperation from the investigation.
Greenwood denied all of the alleged offences.
The club had said it intended to make the call on Greenwood before the start of the Premier League season, but now wants to explain the findings of their internal investigation with key stakeholders so the timeline has changed. This they said includes United’s women’s team and fan advisory board.
Amid this postponement, United’s England players were targeted online before and after their World Cup quarter-final against Colombia. In response to posts from United’s official women’s account about the game, which England won 2-1, users have petitioned Katie Zelem, Ella Toone and Mary Earps to allow Greenwood’s return. The messages were seen by players.
The club, however, insist the decision on Greenwood will be taken by chief executive Richard Arnold and will be based on the facts established by the club investigation, rather than the opinions of any of the women’s team. It is unclear what the exact process of that investigation is, the role the Glazer family get in the final decision or why it has taken this amount of time. The club says that the women’s team will be informed, ideally as a collective, with feedback sought, but their opinions will not govern what happens.
The same is true of the fan advisory board, the group of supporters consulted by the club on major issues on a quarterly basis.
Being able to communicate in a complete fashion will be a logistical challenge because England will have the third-place play-off or the final scheduled for August 19 and 20 respectively, and then players are expected to go on holiday, thus raising he prospect of a postponement until the first week of September, when club football takes a break. The decision could come sooner if United can arrange the communication choreography.
Greenwood was absent from the pre-season tour of the United States earlier this summer where Ten Hag revealed he had expressed his opinion to the club. It is understood he is open to the prospect of Greenwood returning to United’s squad.
“Of course, I have said my ideas and opinions but it’s a club decision,” Ten Hag said, in New Jersey on the first day of United’s summer tour. “We all have to accept that.”
United kick off their Premier League campaign against Wolves on Monday evening, a game where a group of fans are planning to protest against the prospect of Greenwood being reintegrated.
Greenwood last played for the club in January 2022.
(Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
