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    Mason Greenwood’s three options for his future revealed – and why mooted loan for Man Utd striker could prove difficult

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    THREE options facing Mason Greenwood have been revealed as a decision on the suspended Manchester United striker’s future looms.The England international has been linked with a transfer to Italy, but new doubts about a move to Serie A have now emerged.
    Suspended Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood faces three future optionsCredit: Getty
    Premier League giants United are expected to rule this month on whether to restore the 21-year-old forward to manager Erik ten Hag’s squad.
    His three options are staying with the Red Devils, moving to another English club or elsewhere in Europe perhaps on loan.
    Yet new uncertainty has been raised about whether he would be welcomed in Serie A despite rumoured interest from various Italian clubs.
    Greenwood was exiled from the Old Trafford club after being charged with sexual offences and violence against a woman after troubling images were posted online in January last year.
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    He was later charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, but the CPS dropped its case in February.
    The £75,000-a-week star has been suspended on full pay but has been undergoing private one-to-one coaching sessions at an £85-an-hour public pitch.
    The Sun revealed on Saturday former United boss Jose Mourinho had telephoned Greenwood to sound him out about a loan move to Italian Serie A side Roma.
    A source said: “Jose rang Mason’s dad and also spoke with Mason. He told him the best way out of his current situation is to start playing football — and that eventually all the hassle will fade away.
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    “Mason was pleased that he got in touch and it has lifted his spirits.
    “He wants to get back playing and is just waiting for United to tell him what the future holds.”
    Former Red Devils defender Chris Smalling — who played with Greenwood — left Old Trafford for Roma on loan in 2019.
    United are said to have had contact with other Italian teams Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan about potential moves.
    Yet doubts have now emerged over a move to Italy, with suggestions there could be a backlash despite Greenwood being cleared of all charges, according to The Athletic.
    Italian football’s anti-violence campaigns
    Serie A has a partnership with the WeWorld non-profit organisation which campaigns to raise awareness of violence against women.
    The league has dedicated a matchday to the issue in each of the past six seasons.
    High-profile names who have spoken out in support include Luciano Spalletti who managed Napoli to last season’s league title and Italian World Cup winners Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Materazzi.
    Members of Manchester United Women’s team have reportedly raised concerns about the prospect of Greenwood returning to the training ground.
    Yet ten Hag has appeared to suggest he would be prepared to welcome Greenwood back into the fold.
    Greenwood is set to become a dad later this month, with his partner, enjoying a baby shower with pals last weekend.
    She posed in front of a flower backdrop and was spotted hugging various friends.
    She also flashed a beaming smile while cradling her bump in front of a balloon arch.
    The couple were previously spotted at the five-star Langham Hotel in central London.
    Greenwood was given his England debut by manager Gareth Southgate as a late substitute against Iceland in September 2020, though has not played for his country since.
    Two days after the Iceland game he and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden were withdrawn from the squad for breaching Covid guidelines by leaving the part of the hotel where they were staying.
    New photos have shown how the striker has discarded his long wavy hair in favour of a crew cut.
    A source said: “Mason hasn’t really been out for a good few months so he hasn’t really had to bother too much with his personal appearance.
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    “But getting a new trim is another indication that he is going to be playing football somewhere next season.”
    Bradford-born Greenwood has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for Manchester United, having joined the club as a six-year-old.
    Greenwood has not played for the Red Devils since January 2022Credit: AFP
    The Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood last FebruaryCredit: AFP
    Greenwood has been taking private coaching sessions while awaiting a club decision
    A reunion with ex-United manager Jose Mourinho, now at Roma, has been mootedCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Mason Greenwood has ‘four options’ if he leaves Man Utd after star striker was accused of rape

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      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.
      Mason Greenwood is currently suspended by United as it carries out an investigationCredit: Reuters
      Manager Erik ten Hag declined to comment on the situation at his recent press conferenceCredit: Reuters
      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.
      Greenwood is thought to have four options open to him, should he decide to leave UnitedCredit: Getty More