17 August 2023 , 18:03
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TV presenter Rachel Riley has said she won't be able to continue supporting Manchester United if the club keep Mason Greenwood on their books.
United have yet to reach a decision on the future of forward Greenwood, who last played for the first team in January 2022. Charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in February of this year.
The Premier League club issued a statement on Wednesday, after reports emerged claiming Chief Executive Richard Arnold had told Old Trafford staff the player was due to return. Greenwood is under contract with Manchester United until 2025.
Riley's support for United has been well-documented. However, the broadcaster, who has previously worked on television coverage of Premier League matches, made her position on the Greenwood situation clear.
“I won’t be able to support United if Greenwood remains at the club," Riley posted to her 685,000 Twitter followers. She also shared a number of letters from fans expressing their concern at the possibility of Greenwood returning to the pitch in a Manchester United shirt.
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Greenwood has played 129 career games for United, scoring 35 goals. He also won one senior England international cap, back in 2020.
"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," United's statement reads. Greenwood has been taking private training sessions while awaiting a decision from the club.
"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," the statement continues. "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.
Man Utd insist a decision hasn't been made on Greenwood's future (Getty Images)"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."