Where next for Mason Greenwood?
Manchester United have announced that Mason Greenwood will be leaving the club following an internal investigation into allegations against him which included rape and sexual assault. The club said in a statement that it was a mutual agreement and while it is currently unclear how his exit from the club will pan out, the club have said that Greenwood will ‘recommence’ his career away from Old Trafford.
Mason Greenwood came through the Manchester United Academy and last played for the club in January 2022; he also has one senior cap for the England team, having played against Iceland in the Nations League.
Greenwood was arrested by the Police in January 2022 and charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. Three months later, however, these charges were dropped as key witnesses withdrew and new evidence on the case came to light. Mason Greenwood has continued to deny all of the allegations against him.
After the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued its case on Greenwood, the club carried out an internal investigation, during which he was suspended from training and matches. Manchester United’s internal investigation began in February 2023 after all charges against Greenwood had been dropped. While the club and Greenwood himself have stated that he did not do the acts he was accused of, he has accepted responsibility for his actions and come to the supposedly mutual conclusion that he will leave Manchester United.
United CEO Richard Arnold has said in a statement that reintegrating Greenwood into the team was ‘considered and planned for’, although there is no longer any prospect of this occurring.
Looking to the future, the Times have reported that ‘United had received numerous phone calls from clubs across Europe and the Middle East’, with Istanbul Basakheir the club mentioned in that specific report. Meanwhile, the Sun have hinted at Al-Ettifaq, the Saudi Arabian club managed by Steven Gerrard with rumors of a £10 million annual contract. Several Saudi clubs appear to be interested in the forward, opening more opportunities for his career abroad. However, it is reported that Greenwood’s preference would be to stay at an English club regardless of foreign interest.
Greenwood still has two years left on his contract at Manchester United which he signed in 2021 and the club have stated that they have a duty of care towards the forward, they have not indicated that they will be terminating his contract. It is currently uncertain whether he will leave the club on loan or on a permanent basis .
Jose Mourinho’s Roma and Turkey’s Galatasaray are both thought to be interested in securing the 21 year old forward but any proposals or contracts are yet to be made.
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