Man Utd ‘firmly consider’ Mason Greenwood return after Ten Hag conversation

Will Ford
Man Utd striker Mason Greenwood grimaces

Mason Greenwood’s return to the Manchester United fold is ‘firmly under consideration’ according to reports, a month on from the criminal investigation into the England international being dropped.

Greenwood has not played for United since he was arrested in 2022, but charges against him for attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour were discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service in early February.

The CPS said that “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction”.

Despite the criminal case being dropped, Greenwood’s future as a Manchester United footballer remains in the balance as the club conducts its own investigation.

A United statement last month read: “The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps,” it read.

“We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”

However, The Athletic report that ‘the option of reintroducing Greenwood to the club’s first-team squad as part of a possible phased return to football does remain firmly under consideration’.

It’s claimed that should Greenwood stay at United, he would be ‘phased’ back into the fold, with the club ‘taking into account the sentiment of fan groups, sponsors and the women’s team at differing stages’.

Greenwood would receive counselling or therapy and could be exposed in a TV interview.

Sources told The Athletic that ‘United may seek to frame him as a young man who has made mistakes and is remorseful for his actions, while also believing they have a responsibility to help rehabilitate a player who has been on the club’s books since the age of six’.

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United declined to comment but sources insisted there are no active discussions with broadcasters.

It’s said that ‘the prospect of severing ties also remains’ and that the ultimate decision on Greenwood’s future will be taken by co-owner Joel Glazer and chief executive Richard Arnold.

Manager Erik ten Hag has not spoken publicly about Greenwood but has ‘had at least one conversation with the player’, and his thoughts ‘will be taken under consideration by Arnold and Glazer’.