Senior staff at Manchester United reportedly told Mason Greenwood is returning

Callum Boyle

A decision was meant to have been made before United’s first game

Manchester United’s chief operating officer has provided an update on when the club will release their verdict on their decision in regards to the future of Mason Greenwood. However, a claim has been made that a decision has already been reached.

United were supposed to reveal the findings of their internal investigation before their first game of the season against Wolves on Monday but delayed the final outcome as they wanted to consult major stakeholders and members of their women’s squad still at the World Cup before announcing.

Greenwood has been suspended by the club since his arrest in January 2022 and remained unable to train or play since United’s internal investigation began in February after all charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.]

Chief executive Richard Arnold will ultimately make the final decision but will require co-owner Joel Glazer to sign off. Journalist Adam Crafton is reporting that Arnold has already told senior staff that Greenwood will return to the senior squad, with a full video interview to be broadcast with the player.

Manchester United chief exec Richard Arnold told senior staff two weeks ago the club were planning to bring back Mason Greenwood. He also intended to record a video explaining the decision.

Charges against Greenwood for rape and assault were dropped in February.@AdamCrafton_

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) August 16, 2023

‘It’s not accurate to say we’ve had full consultation on Mason Greenwood’

Chief operating officer, Collette Roche, was asked to provide an update on the situation. She told The Athletic: “We’ve done a really detailed and thorough internal investigation and we’ve asked as many people as we can around what happened and try to understand it beyond the original investigation done by the police.

“You’d expect us to engage with people who were relevant in terms of stakeholder groups. And now we just need to make the decision. That decision is firmly a decision that’s on us.”

Manchester United have now released a statement on that Athletic report:

‘Following the dropping of all charges against Mason Greenwood in February 2023, Manchester United has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him.

‘This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain, and we have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case.

‘Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity.

‘We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner.

‘The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future.

‘Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer.

‘Once made, the decision will be communicated and explained to the club’s internal and external stakeholders.

‘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.’
Head of fan engagement, Rick McGagh, added: “It’s not accurate to say we’ve had full consultation with the fan advisory board on what decision we’re making. This is not a consultation.”
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