Mason Greenwood, the Manchester United striker, is set to depart from the club following an internal inquiry.

 

Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood will depart the club through mutual agreement following a comprehensive six-month internal investigation into his conduct.

Greenwood faced legal issues after his arrest in January 2022, connected to content shared online. However, all charges against the 21-year-old England international, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped on February 2, 2023.

In a statement, Manchester United explained, "All parties involved, including Mason, acknowledge the challenges associated with his return to the club. Therefore, it has been mutually decided that his continued career will be best pursued away from Old Trafford. We will work with Mason to facilitate this transition."

The club concluded, based on the available evidence, that the online content did not provide a complete picture, and Mason was not responsible for the originally alleged offenses. Mason Greenwood admitted to making mistakes and taking responsibility for them in a statement.

Greenwood, whose contract with Manchester United runs until 2025, may be sold or loaned to another club for the duration of his contract. He will continue to receive his full salary but will not return to training with Manchester United.

Background:

Greenwood was involved in a legal case related to content posted online, where a man, believed to be Greenwood, could be heard engaging in a heated exchange with a woman. After his arrest, major sponsors such as Nike terminated their sponsorship, and he was removed from active squads in the FIFA 22 game by Electronic Arts.

However, the charges were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew, and new evidence emerged, rendering a conviction unlikely. Greenwood has since faced an internal investigation by Manchester United.

Recent Developments:

The announcement of the investigation's outcome was initially expected before Manchester United's opening Premier League game against Wolves on August 14. However, the decision was delayed, leading to protests by female United supporters who advocated for a "zero-tolerance approach" towards violence against women.

The club consulted with its women's team, some of whom were participating in the Women's World Cup in Australia. After the decision was made public, various individuals and organizations expressed their opinions, both in support of and against Greenwood's return.

Women's Aid, a charity working to end domestic abuse, welcomed Manchester United's decision. They emphasized that how alleged domestic abuse cases are treated in football clubs has a significant impact on public perception of what is acceptable and tolerated in society.

The Premier League introduced mandatory sexual consent training for players and staff in August 2022, following calls from women's groups to address a culture of gender-based violence in football.

Two groups from that coalition, The Three Hijabis and the End Violence Against Women Coalition, reiterated their call for football to take responsibility for its role in maintaining a culture of silence and impunity. They saw Greenwood's exit from Manchester United as a positive step toward addressing these issues.