Explained: Mason Greenwood and Manchester United - the charges, investigation and planned return (2024)

Manchester United announced Aug. 21 that Mason Greenwood will not return to the team.

Manchester United’s executive leadership team has been told the club have decided to bring back Mason Greenwood, the 21-year-old who had sexual assault charges against him dropped in February.

The decision was communicated earlier this month and an announcement was planned for August 4 but then postponed.

Manchester United said: “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.

“That decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation.”

The Athletic explains what has happened…

Who is Mason Greenwood?

The short answer is that he is a 21-year-old Manchester United forward; a two-footed, prodigious talent and an England international. Born in Bradford in West Yorkshire, he has been a United player since the age of six and has represented England at under-15, under-17, under-18, under-21 and senior levels.

He made his first-team debut in March 2019, coming off the bench in a Champions League knockout-phase tie away to Paris Saint-Germain, and shot to prominence with 17 first-team goals for United in 2019-20, making 49 appearances that season as he became a key figure for then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

A first senior England cap followed away to Iceland in September 2020 but Greenwood was then sent home from that international camp — along with Manchester City’s Phil Foden — after breaching Covid-19 rules by inviting women to the team hotel.

Greenwood signed a new four-year contract in February 2021, worth around £75,000 per week, with Solskjaer describing him as “a fantastic talent” and “one of the best young players in the country”.

Read more: Mason Greenwood at Manchester United: The back story

The longer answer, however, is rather more complicated.

Greenwood’s last match for United was on January 22, 2022, a 1-0 win at home against West Ham United. He was arrested eight days later on suspicion of rape and assault after police became aware of graphic images and videos circulating online.

A man, said to be Greenwood, can be heard shouting at his alleged victim to “move your f****** legs up”. The woman replies that she does not want sex and Greenwood responds: “I don’t give a f*** what you want, you little s***.”

United announced they would not select him “until further notice”.

Last October, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales, announced Greenwood had been charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour. He denied all of the charges against him. All three charges related to the same woman, whom we will not identify because, under UK law, those who complain of certain sexual offences are entitled to anonymity for life. This is also why comments are turned off on this article.

In February, all charges were discontinued, but Greenwood remained suspended on full pay by United, who also opened an internal investigation.

Since Greenwood’s last appearance in a United shirt, the club have replaced then-interim manager Ralf Rangnick with Erik ten Hag, who led them to both win the Carabao Cup, the club’s first trophy since 2017, and secure a return to the Champions League via a third-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Greenwood has also recently become a father. He and his girlfriend, Harriet Robson, announced on Instagram in July that they had become parents.

Greenwood has been training privately for several months, with the full knowledge of United, in an effort to maintain fitness, but stayed away from men’s first-team training while the club’s investigation was ongoing.

United did look at potential loan destinations for him over the summer and his name came up in discussions with Atalanta, the Italian top-flight side who sold fellow forward Rasmus Hojlund to them on August 5.

How have United reacted?

United have taken their time, establishing an executive panel in the wake of Greenwood’s legal case being discontinued in February and going through all the evidence.

That included having access to the police work done following his initial arrest, such as seeing phone records and witness interviews, as well as making additional enquiries themselves. They have spoken to Greenwood and the complainant, as well as what the club believe are all the other relevant people. In United’s view, this has been a professional process.

“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,” Collette Roche, United’s chief operating officer, told The Athleticlast week.

“You’d expect us to engage with people who were relevant in terms of stakeholder groups,” she added but stressed the “decision is firmly a decision that’s on us”.

The panel was led by United’s chief executive, Richard Arnold, assisted by Roche, lawyer Patrick Stewart, who is the club’s general counsel, communications chief Ellie Norman and football director John Murtough. While those individuals carrying out the investigation cannot pass legal judgment on Greenwood — that was the domain of the CPS — they are adamant they are qualified to evaluate his ongoing employment by United. Any previous issues Greenwood had at Unitedhave not been a factor in this decision.

There has not yet been a consultation element — ie, members of the United women’s team or the fan advisory board (FAB, which acts as a conduit between supporters and the club’s leadership) were not asked for their opinion — but first-team manager Ten Hag has told the club his views on the situation. Although he has not said so explicitly in public, he is known to be open to Greenwood returning to the squad.

Sponsors have also expressed opinions.

One commercial partner, for instance, noted during a United game how a well-known celebrity was unable to be a guest at Old Trafford owing to past allegations of violence against a woman.

The Athletic asked all of United’s global sponsors for their views on a potential Greenwood return. Only three replied — one of which, main match-shirt sponsor TeamViewer, declined to comment.

Kit manufacturer Adidas said: “After inaccurate and speculative reporting within the media, it’s important for us to reiterate that Adidas plays no role in any decisions made regarding any member of the team or staff at the club. Decisions are exclusively between the club and their employees.”

Hygiene company Ecolab said: “Any question relating to the players and the operations of the club we would refer to Manchester United. We are aware of the topic and are in contact with the club. We have no comment to provide at this time.”

The executive panel completed its inquiries in July and passed the findings to Arnold later that month. He then told the club’s executive leadership in the first week of August that United were planning to bring back Greenwood. Co-owner Joel Glazer has also been across the details of the investigation.

As part of the club’s plan for Greenwood’s reintegration with the first team, Arnold intended to record a video explaining the decision that would be shared both with staff and the general public. The proposed date for the announcement was Friday, August 4.

Arnold’s idea was that Greenwood would not make any appearances with the club’s charitable arm, the Manchester United Foundation, in the short to medium term.

The proposed announcement was, however, then pushed back, with a date at the end of this month now appearing more likely.

The Athletic has not been told the precise reason United have delayed but it has been reported widely that the club wished to inform key stakeholders of their decision ahead of going public. This would have included principal sponsors, the FAB and also members of the women’s team.

However, several key players for the United women’s team, including goalkeeper Mary Earps and captain Katie Zelem, remain on international duty with England at the World Cup in Australia. England will play in the final against Spain on Sunday.

One theory, therefore, is that United have simply delayed the formalities until their women’s players return to the UK.

There is also the possibility the club could change their minds again.

What have United said?

After being approached for comment by The Athletic, United released the following statement to their staff and then on the club’s Twitter account: “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.

“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.”

Could United have sacked Greenwood?

Possibly, but it would have been very difficult to do so once all charges were dropped.

Under the terms of the standard Premier League contract, which have been in place since a collective bargaining agreement was reached with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in 2003, clubs can only suspend players for a maximum of 14 days. Accordingly, Greenwood has been on full pay since he last played for United over 18 months ago.

If the case had gone to trial and Greenwood had pleaded guilty or been found guilty and then sentenced to three or more months in prison, United could have chosen to terminate his contract by giving 14 days’ notice.

As the charges were dropped, however, the club would have had to conclude that Greenwood’s conduct, in his personal life, had amounted to gross misconduct.

“That is a far easier argument to make in the event of a conviction,” explained Dan Chapman, head of the sports and employment teams at UK solicitors Leathes Prior, when he spoke to The Athletic last year. “Football clubs have tended to take a more cautious route in circ*mstances such as this, often preferring to negotiate a mutual release of the player or a transfer.”

But as David Seligman, an associate with boutique law firm Brandsmiths, pointed out: “The Crown Prosecution Service will only charge you if they think they can convict you to the criminal standard of proof — beyond reasonable doubt. Whereas you can terminate a contract on the balance of probabilities. A club could form an argument for termination.”

Greenwood would have had seven days to appeal, and if he had done so, an arbitration panel would then have to decide whether his sacking was justified.

What else has been said about Greenwood’s planned return?

Very little on the record by those working in football — largely for fear of the repercussions of expressing any views, positive or negative.

A banner was made, in United’s red, black and white colours, with the message: “Female Fans Demand No Greenwood Return – End Violence Against Women” and displayed before the men’s team’s 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their 2023-24 Premier League season opener at Old Trafford on Monday night.

“It’s time for the club to stand up and make the right decision,” one of the protest’s organisers told The Athletic, while speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears of being targeted by Greenwood’s supporters. “It’s time to say, ‘We have high standards at United about how we expect players to conduct themselves and, if you do not meet those standards, you need to be moved out’.

Read more: Why Greenwood should not play for United again

“This is a tipping point for the club. Are they going to side with commercialism and trophies and money? Or are they going to take the side of match-going fans and the club being a social and community institution that we can be proud of and proud to have as part of our identity?”

Other United supporters also made their feelings known outside the stadium on Monday, while plenty have expressed support for his return on social media — #MasonGreenwood has also tended to trend on Twitter over the past 18 months whenever the men’s first team have been toiling or have struggled to score a goal.

The United players at the Women’s World Cup found themselves the unwitting victims of a social media storm last weekend when, on the eve of England’s quarter-final against Colombia, a story emerged in UK newspaper The Guardian which claimed the decision over Greenwood had been delayed to allow the club to consult them.

In response to posts from United’s official women’s account about the game, which England won 2-1, users have petitioned Zelem, Earps and Ella Toone to allow Greenwood’s return. The messages were seen by players and The Athletic has also been told by a player’s representative that some of the posts were more menacing and threatening.

What happens now?

United say they have not made a final decision on Greenwood’s return and have therefore not communicated any details of how he would be reintegrated with the first-team squad, how long he might take to get back to match fitness after not playing since January last year, or how the club would plan to support him or help with rehabilitation.

There is also a question mark over his international future. England manager Gareth Southgate and the Football Association have remained tight-lipped on Greenwood since his initial arrest because, from their point of view, they had no decision to make: he was not playing for United so would not be a contender to be called up to an England squad.

If he starts playing regularly for United again, however, and displays good enough form to merit an England place, then Southgate, a manager with a track record of taking a firm stance on ethical issues, will have a decision to make.

How did we get here?

Greenwood was arrested and taken into custody on January 30, 2022, on suspicion of rape and assault after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it “became aware of online social media images and videos posted by a woman reporting incidents of physical violence”.

On the same day, United said Greenwood would not feature or train for the club “until further notice” but initially stopped short of formally suspending him, a decision made with due process in mind.

Greenwood was further arrested on February 1 last year on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill, and was released on bail the next day.

A club statement at the time said: “Manchester United reiterates its strong condemnation of violence of any kind. As previously communicated, Mason Greenwood will not train with, or play for, the club until further notice.” He was removed from video games FIFA, eFootball and PES and, on February 7, a Nike spokesperson said: “Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike athlete.”

At the end of March last year, in response to questions about why Greenwood was still visible on the club’s website, United said there “has been no change whatsoever in Mason’s status”.

On April 29, it was announced he would remain on conditional bail until mid-June and the situation did not change after a hearing on June 23.

On October 15, Greenwood was arrested over allegations he had breached his bail conditions and remained in custody.

Later that day, the CPS announced he had been charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour. All three counts related to the same complainant, the CPS added.

The club said: “Manchester United notes that criminal charges have been brought against Mason Greenwood by the Crown Prosecution Service. He remains suspended by the club, pending the outcome of the judicial process.”

Greenwood appeared at Manchester & Salford Magistrates’ Court on October 17, where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. He was then remanded in custody after a district judge found he had breached bail conditions over allegations of attempted rape and other offences. He was released on bail after a private hearing on October 19.

On November 21, 2022, he appeared at Manchester Crown Court (Minshull Street) and was told he would have to reappear in court on February 10, 2023. Jason Pitter KC, the lead prosecutor, then put forward a provisional trial date of November 27, 2023, which was agreed by Judge Maurice Greene and Greenwood’s defence.

On February 2, however, Greater Manchester Police announced: “Criminal proceedings against a 21-year-old man in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022 have, today, been discontinued by the CPS.”

A spokesperson from the CPS toldThe Athletic: “In this case, a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circ*mstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.”

Chief superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s head of public protection, added: “Given the significant media coverage of this case, it is only fair that we share the news that the 21-year-old man, who had been arrested and charged in connection with an investigation opened in January 2022, no longer faces criminal proceedings in relation to this.

“The investigation team has remained in regular contact with the legal team, providing any updates of note, and so understand the rationale for the discontinuation of proceedings at this stage, and that this decision has not been taken lightly.

“Despite the media and public’s interest in this case, we have decided not to comment on it in any further detail.”

A statement released on behalf of Greenwood read: “I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.”

Several hours after the CPS statement, United said: “Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwoodhave 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.”

Additional contributor: Dan Sheldon

(Top photo: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)