MAN Utd chief executive Richard Arnold planned to release a video explaining exactly why Mason Greenwood was being brought back, it is claimed.
The club was reportedly aiming to release the video message to staff and fans on August 4 announcing the striker‘s return.
Richard Arnold, CEO, would have outlined the plan for how Greenwood would be re-integrated into the team, The Athletic reports.
This included a guarantee that he would not make any appearances with the Manchester United Foundation at the start of his return.
But Greenwood would find himself back on the first team – 19 months after he last touched a ball for the club.
The announcement was mysteriously scrapped though, with the star’s future at Man Utd is still in doubt 12 days later.
It is not clear why it was dropped but there are believed to be a number of factors.
These are thought to include speaking with sponsors, the fan’s advisory board, the women’s team and major stakeholders.
Greenwood was was suspended in January last year after his arrest for attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
The club has remained tight-lipped over whether the star striker will return after they carried out their own probe.
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They released a statement this afternoon confirming they are now in the “final stages” of making a decision on Greenwood’s future.
The club added: “Following the dropping of all charges against Mason Greenwood in February 2023, Manchester United has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him.
“This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain, and we have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case.
“Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity.
“We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner.
“The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future.”
Utd also claimed the decision has “not yet been made” and is “currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation”.
They added: “This has been a difficult case for everyone associated with Manchester United, and we understand the strong opinions it has provoked based on the partial evidence in the public domain.
“We ask for patience as we work through the final stages of this carefully considered process.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
