Crime

MASON Greenwood is expected to be reinstated at Manchester United as early as next week, we can reveal.The striker, 21, has been suspended since January last year after his arrest for rape and sexual assault.
Mason Greenwood will return to Manchester United
Fans have slammed his rumoured comeback
But after 18-months on the sideline club bosses are now ready to hand him a second chance at Old Trafford.
A final decision will be made over the next 48 hours by United’s chief executive Richard Arnold.
But the announcement will be delayed until after the Lionesses World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.
A source said: “This has been a long and difficult process for everyone involved, but it’s nearing the end.
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“The internal investigation is over and Mason is likely to be reinstated at Old Trafford. 
“He’s made no secret of his desire to to get back to doing what he does best.
“He’s already got the backing of the players and manager Erik ten Hag. He’s just waiting for the green light.
“The club will communicate its decision as early as Tuesday after the women’s World Cup final.”
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It remains unclear if Greenwood will return to first team training or be sent out on a season long loan.
Sources said Greenwood was against a move abroad and United are reluctant to loan him to a Premier League rival.
One option being considered is a rehabilitation via United’s under-23s or the reserves, another source said.
The club has not consulted its England women’s players, Ella Toone and Mary Earps, who are preparing for the biggest game of their lives.
Bosses are keen to avoid any distractions ahead of their winner takes all match against La Rojas in Sydney.
United said it had completed “a thorough investigation” into the allegations against Greenwood.
In a statement the club added: “This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain.
“We have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case.”
It said the welfare of his alleged victim had been at the forefront of its internal probe.
But the statement went on: “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. 
“Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. 
“Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer. 
“Once made, the decision will be communicated and explained to the club’s internal and external stakeholders. 
“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.”
For now, Greenwood, who has been suspended on full pay of £75,000-a-week, continues to train alone.
He is following drills drawn up and overseen by United’s coaching staff but delivered by personal trainers at an £85-a-year public pitch.
United kicked-off their new Premier League season with a 1-0 win against Wolves on Monday – with some fans protesting against his imminent return.
But club officials – including his teammates, coaches and manager – are keen for the sage to be brought to an end.
If he is reinstated it would herald a remarkable comeback for a player once valued at around £50million and regarded as one of the hottest young talents in European football.
After his arrest, fans with replica shirts bearing his name were told they could exchange them for free and the club removed all merchandise related to the player from its website and megastore.
Nike, which signed a boot deal with the player in 2020, also ended its multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Greenwood while EA Sports removed the player from its iconic FIFA 22 video game.
His last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham, which United won 1-0.
The England ace was charged in October last year and was due to stand trial in November this year.
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But prosecutors withdrew the case on February 2 after his alleged victim and a dozen more witnesses refused to co-operate.
Greenwood hoped it would lead to an Old Trafford return but was told he would have to continue to wait until the internal probe was conducted.
Greenwood has been suspended by United since January 2022Credit: Getty
Protesters gathered outside Old Trafford earlier this weekCredit: LNP
Greenwood in training with his dad and baby son More

MANCHESTER United have released a statement on the club’s investigation into the future of Mason Greenwood.The striker, 21, has not played for United since being arrested in January last year.
Greenwood has not played for United since January last yearCredit: PA
He was later charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive control, before the charges were dropped in February.
Greenwood has been waiting to discover his fate at United since, with the club remaining tight-lipped over their own internal investigation.
But in a statement released today, the club said it is “in the final stages” of announcing a decision.
It reads: “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.
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“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.”
The statement continues: “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.
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“Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer.
“Once made, the decision will be communicated and explained to the club’s internal and external stakeholders.
“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.
The club asked for patience as officials “work through final stages of this carefully considered process”.
It comes after United’s CEO reportedly told senior staff two weeks ago Greenwood would be brought back into the fold.
The club is said to have initially planned to make the sensational announcement on August 4 – before the new season started.
Richard Arnold had intended to film a video message explaining the club’s decision, while also outlining the plan for his reintegration.
Part of the agreement would have also included Greenwood having no involvement with the Manchester United Foundation charity, The Athletic reports.
But no decision has been revealed on whether or not the striker will return.
Chief operating officer Collette Roche also gave an update earlier today, telling The Athletic: “We’ve done a really detailed and thorough internal investigation and we’ve asked as many people as we can around what happened and try to understand it beyond the original investigation done by the police.
“You’d expect us to engage with people who were relevant in terms of stakeholder groups.
“And now we just need to make the decision. That decision is firmly a decision that’s on us.”
United’s women’s team were understood to have reservations, while sponsors were left concerned about being linked to the footballer.
There was also a protest at Old Trafford ahead of their first game of the season on Monday night – led by female fans.
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Several employees within the club are said to be troubled by the prospect of Greenwood’s return.
But manager Eric Tan Hag is understood to be supportive of a comeback.
Greenwood’s has been the subject of an internal investigationCredit: AFP
A group of fans gathered outside Old Trafford to protest Greenwood’s returnCredit: LNP More

MANCHESTER United have ruled out making a decision on Mason Greenwood’s return to football until a “set date”.The striker, 21, has not played for the club since he was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control in January last year.
Greenwood in action for Man UnitedCredit: Getty
Greenwood has not played for the club since January last yearCredit: Getty
He was charged with the offences in October, before the criminal investigation was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February.
Greenwood has been the subject of an internal probe since the charges were dropped.
Man United had intended to provide an update on his future prior to the start of the season.
But the Old Trafford club is now not expected to announce a decision until the September international break.
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It is understood the club wishes to explain the findings of its internal investigation to stakeholders, resulting in the delay.
This is said to include United’s women’s team and its fan advisory board, The Athletic reports.
It comes after it was reported that United players Mary Earps and midfielders Ella Toone and Katie Zelem, all of whom are currently playing for the Lionesses, will be consulted before a decision is made.
Club bosses are said to have been involved in conversations with their female first team, Greenwood and his family, the BBC reports.
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But the final decision rests with chief executive Richard Arnold, the club insists, and will be made on the facts established by the club’s own probe, rather than opinions.
The fan advisory board, a group of supporters consulted on major issues involving the club, will similarly be approached for feedback.
However, communication with the women’s team may prove difficult given the Lionesses so far successful World Cup bid.
England reached the semi-final stage on Saturday and will play a further two games before returning home.
The final is scheduled for August 20, should England reach it, while the third-place playoff is a day earlier.
During the men’s international break, England are scheduled to play Ukraine in Poland on September 9 before travelling to play Scotland at Hampden Park three days later.
United last week released provisional squad numbers for the new season – with Greenwood omitted.
Last season he wore No11 on his back – but that number as well as the player himself did not appear on the list.
And last week The Sun revealed snaps of Greenwood looking relaxed as he trained on a public pitch.
His dad and coach, Andrew Greenwood, instructed him and cradled the player’s newborn as he ran through shooting drills with pals.
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United fans will tonight protest against his return to action as they host Wolves in their Premier League opener.
One group, called Female Fans Against Mason Greenwood’s Return, issued a full statement on the matter earlier this week
Greenwood dribbles with the ball during a game against West Ham in January last yearCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER United fans will tonight protest against Mason Greenwood’s potential return before the team’s first home game.The 21-year-old striker is rumoured to be returning to the team after charges of attempted rape and coercive behaviour, as well as assault, against him were dropped earlier this year.
A group of Manchester United fans are planning a protest against a potential Mason Greenwood return
His fate at the club remains uncertain
He has not played for United since he was arrested over the allegations in January last year.
But fuming fans are set to protest at tonight’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Wolverhampton.
One group, called Female Fans Against Mason Greenwood’s Return, issued a full statement on the matter earlier this week.
The recently-founded group wrote: “We are calling on the club to do the right thing. For their fans, for their employees, for the millions of young boys and girls across the world who look up to our players as heroes and role models, and the millions of women whose lives have been blighted by violence and abuse.
“To the decision-makers at the club, remember; this goes beyond football. This decision is a reflection of you, your morals; of who you are as individuals, and as humans. 
“Will you stand with abusers, or with the abused? History will judge your choices. Make sure you choose well.”
They concluded by saying: “We female fans of Man United are demanding that the club abide by their duty of care towards their female fans and employees and demonstrate a zero tolerance approach towards acts of violence against women by refusing to bring Mason Greenwood back into the squad.”
While the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against him in February due to “key witnesses” withdrawing and “new material coming to light”, he has remained suspended while the club concludes its own internal investigation.
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Last week, Greenwood was snapped training in a park as his dad Andrew watched on, holding the footballer’s newborn baby girl in his arms.
The Sun exclusively revealed that top-level discussions about a possible return to Old Trafford are nearly concluded, while Greenwood has the backing of his teammates and manager Erik ten Hag.
However, he suffered a major blow to his hopes as he was excluded from the team’s provisional squad list.
He was seen training in a park last week More