Mason Greenwood is expected to be absent for the rest of the season as Manchester United continue to conduct an internal investigation into him.
Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 and suspended on full pay by Manchester United a short time later after charges of alleged rape and assault were made against him.
However, the Crown Prosecution Service announced earlier this month that subsequent charges had been dropped after ‘key witnesses’ withdrew their involvement.
After the news was made public, United released a short statement which said: ‘Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped.
‘The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.’
Mason Greenwood is expected to be absent for the rest of the season as Manchester United continue to conduct their internal investigation on him after charges were dropped
Greenwood has not played for United since January 2022 after being suspended by the club
United’s investigation into the 21-year-old – who remains suspended by the club – continues, but it is expected to go on for several more months.
While United hope to complete the internal investigation before the end of the campaign and are under intense pressure to do so, the fact that it shows no signs of concluding anytime soon means Greenwood is not expected to feature before the end of the campaign.
The investigation is likely to involve interviews with Greenwood to get his version of what went on, along with bringing in specialists to examine the 21-year-old’s mental and physical condition.
There are various options on the table for United following the investigation – with the club’s hierarchy keen to take their time.
These include selling Greenwood in the summer, terminating his contract, or inviting him back to training.
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Greenwood – who has a £70,000-a-week contract until 2025 with the option of a further year at United – will not return to training or playing while the internal probe is ongoing though.
His last match for United was in the 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham on January 22 last year, with his last goal coming in a 3-1 win at Brentford three days beforehand.
Greenwood’s No 11 shirt number has not been re-allocated. His sole appearance for the England national team was against Iceland in September 2020.
Erik ten Hag refused to comment when questioned earlier this month on Greenwood’s future
Erik ten Hag refused to get involved in the debate over Greenwood’s future at the club when he was questioned at a press conference after the charges were dropped.
Ten Hag said: ‘I can’t add nothing. It’s… I refer to the statement of the club.’
Asked if he had spoken to Greenwood and whether he will be part of the investigation United are now in the process of conducting, he said: ‘As I said, in this moment, I can’t give a comment about the process.’
Finally, given that Greenwood was suspended by the club months before Ten Hag even arrived as manager, the Dutchman was asked if he had ever spoken to the player at all.
‘I can’t say anything about it,’ he said.
‘I refer to the statement of the club and at this moment I can’t add anything.’
After the charges were dropped, the 21-year-old had said in a short statement: ‘I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support.
‘There will be no further comment at this time.’
