Manchester United’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Arnold, told senior leadership at the club in early August that he planned to bring Mason Greenwood back into the squad, before delaying an official announcement, according to Adam Crafton of The Athletic.
The report also states that Arnold intended to release a video to club staff and the public to explain the decision.
Man Utd CEO Planned on Bringing Mason Greenwood Back
Striker Awaiting Results of Internal Investigation
According to the report, the proposed date for the announcement of a decision on the forward’s future was set for Friday 4th August. United’s CEO was set to reveal that Greenwood would not make any appearances for the Manchester United Foundation, the club’s charitable arm, for an extensive period.
Watch: Mason Greenwood’s Potential Manchester United Future
Arnold decided not to go ahead with the announcement and has recently been reported to have delayed making an official decision. However, Crafton’s article claims that sources have “repeatedly” informed them that senior figures, such as manager Erik ten Hag, would support Greenwood’s return to the side.
Background to Man Utd’s Mason Greenwood Investigation
The 21-year-old is currently awaiting the results of an internal investigation into allegations of domestic and sexual abuse following his arrest in January 2022. The arrest was preceded by videos and images of an alleged sexual assault and domestic abuse were posted on social media.
He was subsequently charged by police with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Mason Greenwood has denied all allegations relating to the matter.
In February 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood, stating that “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of prosecution”.
Read More: ‘That Decision Is On Us’: Man Utd Bosses Discuss Mason Greenwood Decision
Man Utd Release Update on Mason Greenwood
Around the same time as the release of the article, United released a statement titled ‘Update On Mason Greenwood’. United states that the fact-finding phase of the investigation into Greenwood’s alleged conduct has been completed and they are in the final stages of making a decision on his future.
The club also denies that a decision on the player’s future has been decided “contrary to media speculation”.
The final paragraph of the statement reads: This has been a difficult case for everyone associated with Manchester United, and we understand the strong opinions it has provoked based on the partial evidence in the public domain. We ask for patience as we work through the final stages of this carefully considered process”.
Read More: Mason Greenwood Update Revealed as Erik ten Hag Opinion Unveiled
Club Statement Receives Criticism
Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return, a recently formed fan group protesting the striker’s potential return to the side, have criticised United for what it labelled a “non-statement”. The group claimed the club has hinted that they will retain the player, stating “the phrasing points at the direction of the decision” in reference to the emphasis in the statement on the club’s responsibilities to Mason Greenwood and the use of the term “partial evidence”.
The club’s Social Media accounts received a huge number of critical replies, with many responders furious at Arnold’s reported decision.
Fans will be desperate for an official statement deciding the one-time England international’s future soon, as further delays and reported leaks are causing huge tension among fans of
Main Image Credit: Kiwi Globetrotters on Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
