Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood could reportedly leave the club on loan after a six-month internal investigation into his controversial conduct.
Manchester United announced this Monday that Mason Greenwood has mutually agreed to leave the Old Trafford club following the conclusion of a prolonged internal investigation. As per the Daily Mail, the Red Devils are now working on final details with the player’s camp to find him a club as he looks to continue his career.
Greenwood, according to the report, “will either leave on loan or have his contract settled,” but he will not wear the iconic Manchester United shirt ever again.
The 21-year-old was suspended by United in January 2022 following his arrest after graphic audio and images surfaced on social media, with the club spending the last six months carrying out their internal investigation after charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023.
There were reports that the 21-year-old could be reintegrated into Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad at Manchester United, as CEO Richard Arnold was due to release a video explaining his decision to bring Greenwood back.
United were originally due to communicate their final decision on Greenwood ahead of the new season, but the deadline has been pushed back to contact key stakeholders, which included their women’s team, club sponsors, and fans’ groups, to get their opinions on their decision.
However, a serious backlash from supporters and staff has brought a dramatic U-turn, with But The Sun claiming that the footage, which had already been recorded, has now been “shelved” as the club have now confirmed the striker has mutually agreed to leave the club.
Mason Greenwood statement 🔴⤵️
I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and I know people will think the worst.
I was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did… pic.twitter.com/uFodIG1xzq
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2023
Greenwood, whose £75,000-per-week contract at Old Trafford runs until 2025 with the option of an additional year, joined United aged six and made his professional debut at only 17, becoming United’s youngest player ever to play in the Champions League.
He quickly established himself in the first team and bagged 35 goals and 12 assists in 139 games for the Red Devils. He was widely regarded as one of the most promising forwards on the planet during his brief playing career at Old Trafford.
The one-capped England international is unlikely to play in the Premier League again, and it is fair to assume that his international career with the national team is also over.
While Greenwood was never found guilty in court for the crimes he was accused of, the proof splashed against him all over the internet when the event first occurred has done more than enough damage to his reputation in the court of public opinion.
He will now have to look elsewhere to continue his career. Greenwood was linked to a number of clubs earlier this summer, most notably Serie A sides Atalanta, AS Roma, and Juventus. It is also unclear whether United will demand a transfer fee if they attempt to sell or even loan the player, or if they will settle his future by mutually terminating his contract.
