Man United slammed for profiting from Mason Greenwood’s sale to Marseille by domestic abuse activist – as Red Devils are urged to donate the £30m transfer fee

Manchester United have been criticised for profiting from the sale of Mason Greenwood and have been urged to donate the proceeds to women’s charities.

Greenwood, 22, signed a £30million contract with the Ligue 1 club this week after passing a medical and signing his contract, ending his long saga at Man United.

The striker spent last season on loan at Getafe in LaLiga and had not played for United since his arrest in January 2022.

Nine months later, he was charged with attempted rape, assault causing bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behavior. However, the charges and the case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses recanted.

Greenwood strongly denies any wrongdoing.

Manchester United have been criticised for profiting from the sale and urged to donate the windfall to women’s charities. Pictured: Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right)

His move to Ligue 1 sparked protests from fans, with Marseille mayor Benoit Payan warning against the move, calling Greenwood a “disgrace”.

And now domestic violence campaigner David Challen has joined those criticising the move. He believes the Red Devils should have supported women’s charities and is urging the club to donate their youth player’s winnings.

“Man Utd are a massive, global sports club that makes hundreds of millions a year,” he said I said.

“And the fact that they didn’t let a player go – which they very easily could have done – and chose to keep him for their own financial needs really prioritizes the financial needs of the company over the financial needs of women.”

‘It just doesn’t seem like the club, even on a fundamental level, cares about women and girls.

‘They only started talking to women’s charities at the last minute and the fact that they can’t donate to one of those charities, or maybe a local charity, is outrageous, especially for a club the size of Man Utd.

“The services at a national level are paralyzed and need funding, even in the local area. It’s astonishing, but unfortunately it’s not surprising, because they had the chance to release him, but they didn’t.”

Greenwood will team up with former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi at Marseille next season

Hundreds of supporters gathered to greet Greenwood after he landed in France on Wednesday evening, but Marseille fans are divided, with both #GreenwoodNotWelcome and #GreenwoodWelcome trending on X.

After his revelation in Marseille, he stressed that he has put the past behind him and is looking forward to the future with his partner and their daughter.

He told La Provence: ‘Of course I am aware of this debate and I understand the question. I do not want to enter into controversy. I already had the opportunity to speak out on this subject last year.

‘With my partner we have rebuilt ourselves, as a couple we have just spent a year in Madrid. We have been together since we were 15, 16 years old.

‘I am now looking to the future and focusing only on Olympique Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille.’

Greenwood could play his first game in England in more than two years this summer as part of Marseille’s pre-season build-up.

His unofficial debut will probably take place on Sunday, when his new club plays their first friendly against Nîmes.

The 22-year-old had not played for his boyhood club Manchester United since his arrest in January 2022

On August 3, Marseille travel to Valley Parade in his home city of Bradford to face Sunderland in their penultimate match. Should Greenwood play, it will be his first appearance in a public match in England for two years, six months and 12 days.

Greenwood played 129 games for United, scoring 35 goals.