Mason Greenwood, an English striker who has 35 goals for Manchester United, hasn’t been in the Premier League since West Ham was defeated 1-0 in January 2022.
Mason Greenwood has had “positive” meetings with club officials and wants to stay at Manchester United in advance of a critical decision.
The 21-year-old England international hasn’t played for United since January 2022 due to claims of physical and sexual abuse made against him by a lady. He is still not eligible for selection as club officials conduct an internal investigation. Before the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed all allegations in February, he had been detained and was scheduled to go to trial.
Greenwood has been undergoing one-on-one training sessions in a bid to be fit for the new Premier League season. United’s campaign starts at home to Wolves in just over two weeks’ time, with a decision on Greenwood’s future expected in the coming days.
United’s hierarchy – not manager Erik ten Hag – will decide whether Greenwood will remain employed by the club. Yet Ten Hag will be forced to make a decision on how to manage the player if club chiefs decide he can stay. A loan move could be an option.
Whatever decision is made, it will be a controversial one. Thousands of United fans want to see the club cut ties with the striker due to the severity of allegations that were made against him, but releasing him won’t be a simple process.
If Greenwood is released, United will need to pay up the final two years of his contract. It’s also important to remember that he was one of the best young footballers in Europe before the allegations were made against him and could be signed by a rival club.
Yet, according to The Sun, Greenwood is confident of being retained by United. It’s claimed there has been “positive” talks between the two parties.
A source told The Sun: “He’s being encouraged to speak publicly and to have his voice heard. But, privately, he has told those close to him that he has learned a huge amount. He became a father for the first time earlier this month and realises he has to grow up.”
Ten Hag was asked for an update on Greenwood’s future earlier this month. He said: “It’s a club decision. Of course, I have said my ideas and opinions but it’s a club decision. We all have to accept that.”
Greenwood joined United aged six and graduated to the first team during the 2018/19 campaign. He found the net 17 times the following season and boasts an impressive record of 35 goals in 129 first-team appearances for the Red Devils.
The striker was one of 20 players to be nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2021, a prize handed to the best young footballer in Europe. He was also named as United’s Young Player of the Year in 2019, following in the footsteps of the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville, Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford.
Greenwood made his senior debut for England against Iceland in September 2020 but was axed from the squad two days later for breaching Covid rules. He hasn’t played for Gareth Southgate’s side since.
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