United launch internal probe to decide Mason Greenwood future

Manchester United launch internal investigation to decide Mason Greenwood’s future after charges of attempted rape and assault against him were dropped, as it emerges complainant has wanted to retract her accusations since April

• Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood has seen charges dropped against him 
• All attempted rape and assault charges against him were dropped on Thursday
• United have released a statement insisting they ‘will conduct their own process’

Manchester United have launched an internal investigation which will decide the future of Mason Greenwood – after charges of attempted rape and assault against the England striker were dramatically dropped.

The 21-year-old was arrested in January 2022 and suspended on full pay by the club a short time later after videos and images were posted online.

However, in a bombshell statement released on Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service announced the subsequent charges had been discarded after ‘key witnesses’ withdrew their involvement.

It leaves Old Trafford officials with a major headache ahead of a run-in to the end of a season on which they are fighting for honours on four fronts.

More than three hours after the news was made public, United released a short statement. It read: ‘Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped. The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.’ 

Manchester United have released a statement indicating they ‘will conduct their own process before determining next steps’ after Mason Greenwood saw charges dropped against him

That probe will buy the club time and a decision on Greenwood will follow at its conclusion. The player will not return to training or playing while it is ongoing. No timeframe has been set but United will face intense pressure to complete it. 

Given Greenwood – who has a £70,000-a-week contract until 2025 with the option of a further year – no longer faces charges and the prospect of a trial, there is nothing legally stopping United from re-integrating him into the squad. 

Premier League rules state that Greenwood is classed as an Under 21, and so he did not have to be registered in the 25-man squad following the closure of the transfer window. 

Should they decide he does have a future at the club, fitness would clearly be an issue for a man who scored 35 goals in 129 matches but who has now not played for more than a year.

Well-placed sources believe United may look at paying up Greenwood’s contract and releasing him or seek to reach a financial settlement. Whether the player would have a legal argument against such a move is unclear. 

Disrepute clauses are commonplace in football and employment law experts have told this newspaper that it would be difficult for Greenwood’s camp to argue that he did not bring the club into disrepute – despite no longer facing charges. 

US sportswear giants Nike were quick to drop Greenwood when news of his arrest emerged and would be able to use a similar stance.

United could even seek legal action against the player, claiming that his actions left them no option other than to suspend him and triggered a subsequent drop in value.

The potential of a toxic reaction to Greenwood at grounds in the UK will also be a factor. Should United deem he has no future with the club a move abroad may be a likely escape route. 

Charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the United forward (centre) were dropped on Thursday

A loan switch overseas could also be on the cards. United may seek to pay the player up but retain his registration in order to attract a fee should he move elsewhere.

Following the development, Greenwood said: ‘I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.’ 

Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A CPS spokesman said: ‘We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review. In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.

‘We have explained our decision to all parties. We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.’ 

In October, Greenwood spent two days on remand in prison after District Judge Mark Hadfield found he had ‘persistently and flagrantly breached’ bail conditions which included not contacting the complainant.

It can now be reported that the court heard the complainant had wished to retract her accusations as long ago as April and she attended the hearing sat alongside Greenwood’s family.

Greenwood’s profile remains on United’s website despite the club having suspending him

The forward is listed alongside other United players on the first-team squad page 

Greenwood was listed in the Under 21 (Contract and Scholars) section of United’s squad list for the Premier League at the beginning of the season

Police were criticised for not apprehending Greenwood sooner after the court heard he had been breaching bail over many months and officers were aware.

Mr Hadfield said to the prosecutor: ‘I’m told this defendant has flagrantly breached his conditions over weeks and months and the police haven’t done anything about it. Why not?

‘Breach of bail conditions, particularly when you have a vulnerable complainant who has now retracted her complaint… what’s the point of having bail conditions if the police don’t enforce them?’ 

Mr Hadfield also told the footballer: ‘You have persistently and flagrantly breached bail. There are substantial grounds for me not to grant bail, not least the interference with justice and for this reason you will be remanded in custody.’ 

Greenwood’s last match for United was in the 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham on January 22 last year, with his last goal coming in a 3-1 win at Brentford three days beforehand. 

Greenwood’s No 11 shirt number has not been re-allocated. His sole appearance for the England national team was against Iceland in September 2020.

Nike did not respond to a request for comment.

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