EXCLUSIVE: Man United hold talks with their women’s team over their handling of Mason Greenwood after players considered speaking out
EXCLUSIVE: Man United are in talks with their women’s squad about their dealings with Mason Greenwood after players considered speaking out whether they intended to keep him
- Manchester United confirmed on Monday that Greenwood would be leaving the club
- It followed a six-month investigation into the striker after charges were dropped
- The episode created tension between the women’s team and the club hierarchy
Manchester United director of football John Murtough held top talks with the women’s team on Tuesday to explain the club’s position on Mason Greenwood.
United confirmed on Monday that Greenwood will leave Old Trafford after the club has completed its investigation into the striker.
The 21-year-old was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of a number of crimes, including attempted rape, but the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently dropped the charges in February this year after crown witnesses backed down and new material came to light.
The episode has created tension between the women’s players and the club’s hierarchy.
Members of Marc Skinner’s team have been criticized on social media for the narrative that they did not want Greenwood to stay given the evidence that has come to light in the public domain.
Manchester United confirmed on Monday that Mason Greenwood would be leaving the club
Manchester United director of football John Murtough held talks with the women’s team about the Greenwood situation after players from the side previously considered speaking out
Murtough informed the squad 24 hours after their announcement to cut ties with Greenwood
Members of Marc Skinner’s (centre) squad faced criticism amid a narrative that they did not want Greenwood to stay at the club.
Mail Sport understands that should United stay at Greenwood, some of the women’s side will seriously consider criticizing the club publicly.
But yesterday Murtough informed the team just 24 hours after their announcement to cut ties with Greenwood.
At the pre-arranged summits, Murtough outlined the processes of the internal investigation and the reasons behind their eventual decision.
The meeting is believed to have ended on a positive note as the players – who had been forewarned of the club’s decision before it was made public – accepted Murtough’s explanation.
United’s World Cup players Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem did not attend the meeting after their heartbreaking final defeat to Spain on Sunday.
The club’s supporters made their feelings clear ahead of their Premier League opener against Wolves on August 14.
Supporters gathered at the statue of the Holy Trinity outside the ground, holding a banner that read, “Female fans don’t demand Greenwood’s return – end violence against women.”
Another fan was seen holding up a sign that read, “Don’t leave the decision to the women’s team, you spineless, motherless bastard.”
A group of Man United supporters protested before the club’s first home game of the season, expressing their opposition to striker Mason Greenwood being reintegrated into the first team.
A disgruntled Manchester United fan held up a sign saying the club “shouldn’t leave the decision to the women’s team” and labeled the hierarchy a “spineless motherless bastard”
This came after Mail Sport previously reported that the club had consulted the women’s team about Greenwood, along with club sponsors and fan groups.
Famed United fan Rachel Riley previously said she would stop supporting the club if they decided to keep Greenwood.
Following the announcement that the England striker would be leaving the club, the Countdown co-presenter stated that she felt United CEO Richard Arnold should consider his position on his handling of the case.
