Manchester United remain open to possibly bringing Mason Greenwood back into the fold after charges were dropped against him, according to reports. The England international hasn’t played for the club since January last year. However, the 21-year-old could yet be reintegrated into Erik ten Hag’s squad.
Greenwood was arrested in January last year, shortly after playing for United in a 1-0 Premier League victory over West Ham.
But the charges of attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour were subsequently dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
It has now been a month since the charges were dropped and his future at United, where he is still contracted, remains up in the air.
According to The Athletic, Greenwood could be forced to conduct a TV interview and undergo therapy before returning to the first-team fold at Old Trafford.
Before that, though, fan groups, sponsors and the women’s team would be consulted over their opinions.
A TV interview with the England international would also see him challenged on the events that unfolded.
However, there is also a possibility that the club cut ties with the forward entirely.
It is claimed that if United do decide to keep Greenwood and try to bring him back into the team, the direction they will go is to frame the player as a young man who is remorseful for his actions and made a mistake.
It is further stated that this course of direction will only be undertaken if the club’s internal investigation believes this to be the case.
The only public information United have given out regarding Greenwood was a statement last month, which read: “The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps.
“We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”
Manager Erik ten Hag, who has had at least one conversation with Greenwood, has not spoken publicly over the matter but his opinion will be considered before any decision is made.
The club is also aware that bringing Greenwood back into the fold could massively damage their reputation.
Ultimately, the decision over what will happen next will be taken by club’s co-owner Joel Glazer and chief executive Richard Arnold.
However, with United up for sale, it remains to be seen whether this case will be settled with the Glazers still in charge.
Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group and Sheikh Jassim of Qatar have made offers to purchase the club while other groups have registered an interest as well.
