Crime

MANCHESTER United have been slammed as intricate details of their plan to bring back Mason Greenwood are leaked.The striker, 21, is awaiting a decision on his future at the club after being suspended following his arrest in January last year.
Greenwood has not played for United since January last yearCredit: Getty
United are reportedly planning to announce the striker’s returnCredit: AFP
A criminal probe into allegations of attempted rape, assault and coercive control was dropped in February.
But he has remained the subject of an internal club investigation, with The Sun revealing this week that club bosses are ready to hand him a second chance.
United’s plan for Greenwood’s return reached such a detailed extent that officials prepared documents explaining the types of pictures that should be taken of the striker during training sessions.
They also outlined how head coach Erik ten Hag should answer questions on the topic, The Athletic reports.
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Preparation for his return are also understood to have included an assessment of how pundits, journalists and politicians would react to the announcement.
External figures are said to have been placed into categories of “supportive”, “open minded” and “hostile” of Greenwood’s comeback.
A number of domestic abuse charities reportedly fell under the “hostile” category.
Zarah Sultana, Labour MP for Coventry South, slammed the details as “disgusting”.
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She added: “I will always stand in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence, so consider me ‘hostile’.”
Staff at the club also feel a deep sense of shame over his possible return, The Guardian reports.
The majority of staff on the footballing side of the club are understood to be in favour of giving Greenwood a second chance.
But there are employees who feel frustration over United’s handling of its internal investigation.
Members of Manchester United Women’s team have reportedly raised concerns about the prospect of Greenwood returning to the training ground.
The club was reportedly aiming to release a video message to staff and fans explaining exactly why Green wood was being brought back on August 4.
It is not clear why the announcement 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.
Instead, a final decision is expected over the next 48 hours by United’s chief executive Richard Arnold.
But an announcement of the decision 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.
“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.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, the club said it was “in the final stages” of announcing a decision.
It said the “fact-finding phase” of the probe had been completed, but no final decision had yet been made.
Greenwood, suspended on full pay of £75,000 a week, has been training alone – following drills drawn up by United’s coaching staff.
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His last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham United, which United won 1-0.

Greenwood, suspended on full pay of £75,000 a week, has been training aloneCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER United’s handling of the Mason Greenwood saga has left staff feeling a “deep shame”.The striker, 21, has not featured for the club since his arrest in January last year.
Greenwood in action for United in January last yearCredit: AFP
Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive control, but the charges were dropped in FebruaryCredit: AFP
A criminal probe into allegations of attempted rape, assault and coercive control was dropped in February, but Greenwood has remained subject to an internal investigation led by club officials.
But The Sun revealed on Wednesday that he is expected to be reinstated at United as early as next week.
And staff at the club feel a deep sense of shame over his possible return, The Guardian reports.
The majority of staff on the footballing side of the club are understood to be in favour of giving Greenwood a second chance.
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But there are employees who feel frustration over United’s handling of its internal investigation.
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.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, the club said it was “in the final stages” of announcing a decision.
It said the “fact-finding phase” of the probe had been completed, but no final decision had yet been made.
It comes as members of Manchester United Women’s team have reportedly raised concerns about the prospect of Greenwood returning to the training ground.
Natalie Burrell, founder of Manchester United’s Women’s Supporters’ Club, said the footballer should not make a return – admitting it would “destroy” the club.
And protests were staged at Old Trafford before United’s opening match of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
Countdown co-host Rachel Riley has also vowed to stop supporting United if they welcome back Greenwood.
Rachel, 37, was responding to broadcast comments from another female United fan, named Em, saying she would “walk away from my club” if Greenwood returned.
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Greenwood, suspended on full pay of £75,000 a week, has been training alone – following drills drawn up by United’s coaching staff.
His last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham United, which United won 1-0.
A final decision on Greenwood’s future is expected to be announced in the coming daysCredit: Getty More

MASON Greenwood coming back to Manchester United will make Old Trafford “toxic” and “full of booing”, says supporters’ club founder.The current-suspended striker, 21, hasn’t kicked a ball for the Premier League giants since he was arrested back in January 2022.
Supporters’ club founder Natalie Burrell said Mason Greenwood returning to Old Trafford would make it ‘toxic’Credit: Getty
Natalie Burrell, founder of Manchester United’s Women’s Supporters’ Club, said a Greenwood return would ‘destroy’ the clubCredit: BBC
He was charged with with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour before the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the case in February this year.
And club bosses are now expected to make a decision imminently about his future in the squad.
Greenwood hasn’t made an appearance Man Utd since but chief exec Richard Arnold is expected to announce his rumoured comeback after the Lionesses World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.
But last night Natalie Burrell, founder of Manchester United’s Women’s Supporters’ Club, said the footballer should not make a return – admitting it would “destroy” the club.
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Speaking to Newsnight, she said: “I’ve been going to this club since I was a little girl. It’s such an important part of my life.
“It’s a community, it’s everything, it’s where I get a lot of my social life, a lot of my friends.
“It would just destroy that. It’s destroying it now there’s massive divides and protests.
“It’s going to make it toxic if he does run out at Old Trafford, people are going to be booing him.
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“Some might be supporting him and saying we should carry on supporting, but you can’t support someone like that.
“I think it’s all because they’ve not got a lot of striking options and this is an easy way to get someone in who’s talented.”
Natalie previously said she doesn’t think Greenwood should play for the club ever again.
She added: “I just don’t want to see him training.
“I don’t want to see him in a [United] kit. I don’t want to see him ever coming out at Old Trafford again.”
It comes after Countdown co-host Rachel Riley, 37, threatened to pull her support for Man Utd over the Greenwood scandal.
The maths whizz and Red Devils fan said she is considering ditching the club if Greenwood is allowed on the pitch again.
Greenwood could have his contract terminated, be put back into the first team, loaned out or sold.
Manager Erik ten Hag and the majority of the first team have suggested they were open to the idea of bringing the Greenwood back.
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But United’s women’s team were understood to have reservations, while sponsors were left concerned about being linked to the footballer.
And protests were staged at Old Trafford before United’s opening match of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday by fans not wanting him back.
Rachel Riley said she wouldn’t be able to support Man Utd if Greenwood was allowed back in the squad
A decision on Greenwood’s future is expected to come after the World Cup final on SundayCredit: AP
Protests were staged outside the ground on Monday ahead of their first game backCredit: Getty More

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