MANCHESTER United striker Mason Greenwood has four options open to him if he leaves the club after he was accused of rape.
Greenwood, 21, is currently suspended by the Red Devils as it carries out an internal investigation.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against him last week, which included attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
It confirmed the charges had been dropped due to “the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light”.
Following the decision, the United forward said: “I am relieved this matter is now over. I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support.”
Attention has now turned to what the future might hold for the star after he was suspended by the club since the allegations first emerged.
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United said in a statement: “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.”
Until the side completes its investigation, Greenwood will not be returning to their Carrington training ground or feature in any upcoming fixtures.
There is no indication how long the investigation will take or what sort of outcome it may lead to.
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The side’s manager Erik ten Hag declined to comment during his press conference on Friday, only saying: “I can’t add nothing, I refer to the statement of the club.”
Greenwood’s current contract runs until the summer of 2025 and he last appeared for the club in January 2022.
The speculation is though that he will look to leave Old Trafford and try to rebuild his career overseas.
Should he make that move, it is thought he has four options open to him – going to a club in mainland Europe, joining a side in the MLS, moving to the Middle East or possibly joining a side in the Chinese Super League.
If he opts for a Chinese club, he would have to take a significant cut to his currently salary of £75,000 a week, as salaries in China are capped at £50,000 a week.
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo recently moved to the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, which made him the highest-earning footballer, netting him a reported annual salary of £173million.
However, according to Salary Sport, the second highest earner at the club, Nordin Armabat, earns a reported £54,000 a week.
In the MLS there are only four players who earn more than Greenwood’s current salary.
Lorenzo Insigne, is the league’s top earner on £200,000 a week, according to MLSPlayers.org.
Former Liverpool playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri is on £115,000 a week while ex-United striker Javier ‘Chichario’ Hernandez takes home £95,000 a week.
Gonzalo Higuain is said to be on £80,000 a week.
However, it is thought that MLS clubs may be unwilling to part with such a high percentage of their salary cap in order to sign him on, due to Greenwood’s current situation.
It’s thought striker Christian Benteke’s salary of £63,000 a week may be a more realistic indication of his potential earnings.
That level of salary indication is also likely should Greenwood chose to move to a mainland European club where wages in the continent’s top leagues are currently lagging behind those in the Premier League.
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The news comes after it was revealed Man Utd’s women’s players don’t want Greenwood to return to the club.
Likewise, furious female United fans have demanded that he be released from his contract.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
