MAN Utd’s CEO reportedly told senior staff two weeks ago Mason Greenwood would return but the announcement was scrapped.The club are understood to have planned to make the sensational announcement on August 4 before the new season started.
Mason Greenwood is still waiting to hear about his future at the club
But Greenwood’s future at Man Utd is still in doubt 12 days later with the new season already underway.
Richard Arnold, CEO, had intended to film a video message explaining the decision and outline a plan for his reintegration, The Athletic reports.
This included a guarantee that Greenwood 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.
It is not clear why the announcement about his alleged return 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.
But the publication claims gaffer Erik ten Hag and football director John Murtough are behind his return.
Greenwood was suspended in January last year after his arrest for attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
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The club has remained tight-lipped over whether the star striker will return after they carried out their own probe.
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.”
Greenwood has remained “in limbo” about his future at Utd after chiefs launched their own five-month probe into the claims.
The majority of the first team have suggested they were open to the idea of bringing the Greenwood back.
United’s women’s team were understood to have reservations, while sponsors were left concerned about being linked to the footballer.
Greenwood joined Utd aged just six and rose through the ranks to land himself a regular spot on the first team.
In 2019, he became the youngest footballer to play for United in the Champions League when he took to the pitch aged 17.
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Greenwood has made 129 appearances in total for the Red Devils and netted 35 goals.
CEO Richard Arnold had been planning to make a video message explaining the decisionCredit: PA
The star has not played for the club since January last year More

MANCHESTER UNITED survived an early blow to bounce back off the ropes and beat Newcastle on Boxing Day. Toon midfielder Matty Longstaff handed the visitors a surprise lead on manager Steve Bruce’s return to his former club. The 4-1 result was a welcome one for Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Reuters But an Anthony Martial double, a […] More

GARETH SOUTHGATE has given his thoughts on the angry reaction from the Wembley faithful after defeat to Iceland under the arch.England were looking for the perfect send off before heading out to Germany for the Euros, but instead were booed off the pitch by their own fans after a lacklustre effort saw them lose 1-0.Gareth Southgate has spoken out after England were booed at WembleyCredit: AlamyThe Three Lions lost 1-0 to Iceland under the archCredit: AlamyPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
The friendly was supposed to be a breezy confidence builder against a team some 68 places below England in the Fifa world rankings, with a population the size of Bournemouth.Instead it knocked players’ confidence as they trudged off the pitch to the disappointed boos of Three Lions fans – a noise Southgate can only hope doesn’t ring in their ears through until next weekend’s opener.But the England boss isn’t hiding from what was a shocking performance as he sympathised with the opinions of the boo boys inside Wembley.When asked what his message was to the booing supporters, he said: “I completely understand [the boos]. We didn’t play well enough to keep them excited within the game.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We had some very, very good chances which normally would be finished which could have given a different complexion to the game and of course would have affected the confidence of the opponent.”But that would have masked some flaws that were apparent tonight. From my perspective, I’ve learned a lot from the game.”It does focus the mind that any sort of complacency that talent is going to get us this trophy and that we only have to stroll in…football is not like that. “You’ve got to be spot on in every aspect of the game to win any game at this level and we were a long way short of that tonight and Iceland deserved their win.”Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSHe went on to reiterate that he understood why the fans would hit out at their own team after such a performance.Adding: “I have no qualms with the supporters’ reaction.England make their official Euros 2024 squad announcement “To have the fans with you here obviously makes a massive difference, but you have to give them enough goalmouth action.”You have to play well enough, press and win the ball with intensity to keep them with you during the game.”It’s not the night we wanted, the performance was not on the level it needed to be.”It’s far from an ideal night, I’m not going to dress up the disappointment but we have to stay calm because we know what needs to be put right.”England can put it right next Sunday when they take on Serbia in their first game of Euro 2024.Southgate must take tactical gamble to save Euros dreamGARETH SOUTHGATE needs to go back to the future in Germany, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
It certainly worked in Russia at the 2018 World Cup. And due to various issues with the defence – as illustrated in this dismal and embarrassing performance at Wembley – Southgate needs to look at playing with five at the back.
We can talk all night about England’s power-packed attack and how they should definitely be getting out the cigars in Berlin on July 14.
Yet there is now a genuine cause for panic as we are now just eight days away from the first game against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen and the defence is a total mess.
England have kept just two clean sheets in the last seven games. If Southgate’s team are to play seven games at Germany – and that would mean an appearance in the final – there must be a bloody great improvement.
The Three Lions will get out of their group because it is virtually impossible not to. But if England do not improve, they will end up getting knocked out in the last 16, like they did against Iceland in Euro 2016.
Speaking at Middlesbrough’s training ground on Sunday, Southgate was asked about whether he has thought about a back five which in Russia, saw his team reach the semi-finals.
He said: “We haven’t as yet. Clearly we could. We know all the strengths and weaknesses of doing that. It’s interesting to read about it being proposed, because I think we were pretty much killed for doing it for quite a long period. 
“But given our tactical flexibility, we’d look at everything and it would be silly to rule something out. You can play a three in different ways.
“You build with a three now anyway, so some aspects of our game could have a three involved.
“But for me, it’s less about shoehorning players into the team, it’s about having the best team and players to come into it, because you need that at tournaments.”
It was only after the World Cup in 2018 that Southgate revealed the reason why he played with three central defenders. This was because he was worried about the inexperience of Harry Maguire who had played just five times before going to Russia.
Due to Maguire’s omission from the squad due to his fitness, Marc Guehi will take his position and this was only his 11th cap.
Guehi was England’s best defender but against better opposition in a more pressured environment, he will be tested more. Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he did not play particularly well.
Yet last night, John Stones – having started just 12 Premier League games for Manchester City in his worst season for the club –  really struggled before being replaced by Ezri Konsa at half-time.
It did not help that Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson fell on him early on but Stones did not cover himself in glory when the same Icelandic player scored the winner.
Luke Shaw, sidelined since February with a thigh injury, will not be fit until the second game at the earliest.
And with Ben Chilwell not even making the provisional 33, Southgate currently only has right-footed defenders.
Kyle Walker is arguably the best right-back in Europe but his form dipped in the last two months of the season for Manchester City.
He was caught out for the first goal as he appeared to have left his turbo boosters at Tottenham’s training ground. He then blamed Phil Foden for not covering properly.
After making his mass changes for the final quarter,  England’s back four was Trent Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guehi and Joe Gomez. That is not a defence you would want to see in the latter stages
So, Southgate needs to look at having a back three with Walker switching into the central three like he did in Russia, alongside Stones and Guehi.
Trent Alexander-Arnold would be more comfortable at right-wing back with Trippier on the other side before the return of Shaw.
With a five-man defence, Southgate would partner Declan Rice with Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton but you would lose an offensive player.
Bukayo Saka would have to make way and you would have Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as the offensive midfielders playing behind Harry Kane.
Southgate also played with a back five against Italy in the final of Euro 2020 although since then, has discarded it.
But regardless, if he sticks with a back four, he will want his players to do the basics better. And then, we can think about maybe winning a match in the last 16.
As for reaching the final, let’s put that one on the back-burner.

But it won’t be an easy affair against star players like Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and former Premier League bagsman Aleksandr Mitrovic amongst the ranks for the Serbs.Southgate could have to do it without his best central defender too as more injury woes hit the England camp during the 1-0 defeat to Iceland.John Stones went down in the first half and needed lengthy treatment on the pitch before being hooked for his own good at half time.However, Southgate doesn’t seem overly concerned that the Man City star will be out of action long term.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe explained: “John we decided at half-time there was no point in taking any chances because we’re obviously so close to the tournament and he’s a very important player for us. “We think he’s probably okay.”England could be without John Stones for their opening clash next weekendCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED managerial target Erik ten Hag is reportedly asking players about the squad through third parties. The Ajax boss is one of the frontrunners to land the permanent, long-term job – potentially succeeding interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Ten Hag is one of the frontrunners for the permanent Man Utd jobCredit: GETTY
And according to The Times, Ten Hag is already gathering information about Man Utd from players through third parties.
Ten Hag is also eager to learn about the club’s hierarchy.
The Dutchman is joined by Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino at the top of the managerial targets list.
Pochettino could become available before the summer with his job at PSG under threat.
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The Parisians surrendered a two-goal lead in their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid.
Karim Benzema scored a 16-minute hat-trick in the second half at the Bernabeu to fire Real into the quarter-finals and dump PSG out.
PSG’s squad is more than capable of competing for the champions League.
But Pochettino has ultimately struggled to get a consistent tune out of Neymar and Lionel Messi, in particular, as well as other top stars.
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Sparks reportedly flew in the PSG dressing room after their dramatic Champions League exit.
Reports circled of an altercation between Neymar and Gianluigi Donnarumma after the match.
But Neymar denied such events on social media, saying: “I hate coming on here and talking about the news… but the previous post [claiming the pair had a fight] is a lie.
“There was no fighting in the locker room!!! Incompetent journos who want to promote themselves.”

⚽ Man Utd vs Tottenham: Team news, live blog and TV details More

ENGLAND and Wales embark on match number two at the World Cup when they face USA and Iran, respectively.And with a pair of wins potentially on the cards, Betfair have boosted the odds of that double to 11/4 — up from the usual price of 9/4!
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England can secure their passage through to the next round with a win over USA.
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