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Erik ten Hag will face questions about Mason Greenwood’s Manchester United future at lunchtime on Friday.
The United manager will give his press conference ahead of Saturday’s home game against Crystal Palace at midday and will likely be asked about the striker’s future at Old Trafford.
England international Greenwood, 21, had charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior and assault against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service on Thursday. It came just over a year after the striker was arrested.
However, United will now ‘go through their own process before determining the next steps’ as they decide whether Greenwood should play for them again.
The club said in a statement: ‘Manchester United take note of the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped. The club will now carry out its own process before determining the next steps. We will not comment further until the process is complete.’
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (left) will face questions about Mason Greenwood’s (right) future with the club after charges against the striker were dropped.
Greenwood, 21, pictured arriving at court in November on the now-dropped charges of attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behavior.
Greenwood himself said: “I am relieved that this matter is over and would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support.” There will be no further comments at this time.
Ten Hag will want to focus on the Premier League match with Palace, but will be questioned about Greenwood’s situation.
The striker hasn’t played under Ten Hag: his last appearance came against West Ham in January last year, when Ralf Rangnick was in caretaker charge.
But Greenwood was listed among the under-21 players in United’s Premier League squad at the start of the season and his profile and biography remain on United’s official website.
We should find out on Friday if Greenwood is included in United’s UEFA Europa League squad for the round of 16 with a two-legged playoff with Barcelona this month.
His biography on the club’s website does not mention the charges against him and the latest update mentions a new contract until 2025 that he signed in 2021 and his 100 appearance spell for the club.
With Greenwood, who is on a £70,000-a-week contract until 2025 with the option of a further year, no longer faces charges and the prospect of a trial, there is nothing legally to prevent United from reinstating him to the team.
United are considering whether to keep Greenwood at the club or terminate his contract
Greenwood’s profile remains on United’s website despite being suspended by the club.
The striker is featured alongside other United players on the first team squad page.
Greenwood was listed in the Under 21 (Contract and Interns) section of United’s squad for the Premier League at the start of the season.
If they decide he has a future at the club, fitness would clearly be an issue for a man who has scored 35 goals in 129 games but has now not played for over a year.
Well-placed sources believe United could consider paying off Greenwood’s contract and releasing him or try to work out a financial deal. It is unclear if the player would have a legal argument against such a move.
Smear clauses are common in football and employment law experts have told this newspaper it would be difficult for Greenwood’s people to argue that he did not bring the club into disrepute, even though he is no longer facing charges.
US sportswear giants Nike were quick to drop Greenwood when news of his arrest broke and could use a similar stance.
United could even take legal action against the player, claiming that his actions left them no choice but to suspend him and caused a subsequent drop in value.
The potential for a toxic reaction to Greenwood on UK grounds will also be a factor. If United feel they have no future with the club, moving abroad may be a likely escape route.
A foreign loan change could also be on the cards. United may seek to pay the player but withhold his registration to collect a fee should he move elsewhere.
Greenwood was charged in October 2022, but on Thursday afternoon the CPS made a decision to stay prosecution under the Crown Prosecutors Code.
Manchester United have issued a statement saying they will “carry out their own process before determining the next steps” after Mason Greenwood saw the charges against him dropped.
The player, who was capped once by the Three Lions, was first arrested in January on allegations involving a young woman, after images and videos were posted online.
He was later suspended from United on full pay and removed from the FIFA 22 game.
A CPS spokesperson said: ‘We have a duty to keep cases under continual review. In this case, a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light meant that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
‘In these circumstances, we have a duty to stop the case. We have explained our decision to all parties. We always encourage any potential victim to come forward and inform the police and we will prosecute wherever our legal proof is met.’