MANCHESTER UNITED
Will Mason Greenwood play for Manchester United again?
The 21-year-old joined Manchester United at the age of seven and scored 35 times in 129 games for the club since his debut in 2019.
Manchester United have made a decision on the future of English forward Mason Greenwood.
“All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United,” a club statement released on Monday read. “It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.”
United’s plan to bring Greenwood back
Last Wednesday, United’s plan was to bring Greenwood back into the first-team squad. On Thursday and Friday, club executives spent time justifying their decision to angry employees at Old Trafford. By Friday afternoon, per The Athletic, a backlash between fans, season-ticket holders, supporters’ groups and members of parliament all combined to make the club reconsider its decision.
The decision was finally taken to move Greenwood on. The Premier League club confirmed this Monday that they would work with the player to continue his career elsewhere. The club say they do not expect a loan move that leads to the player representing United again in the future.
What did Greenwood say?
Criminal charges of attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February.
Speaking for the first time since the case was dropped, Greenwood, who has been suspended by United for 18 months, admitted to wanting “to take my share of responsibility”.
He said: “Today’s decision has been part of a collaborative process between Manchester United, my family and me. The best decision for us all, is for me to continue my football career away from Old Trafford, where my presence will not be a distraction for the club. I thank the club for their support since I joined aged seven. There will always be a part of me which is United.
“I am enormously grateful to my family and all my loved ones for their support, and it is now for me to repay the trust those around me have shown. I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch.”
Interest from Italy
Greenwood has been linked with clubs in Italy and was mentioned in talks with Atalanta over United forward Rasmus Hojlund. The 21-year-old joined Manchester United at the age of seven and scored 35 times in 129 games for the club since his debut in 2019.