Manchester United and Mason Greenwood have mutually agreed for the forward to recommence his career away from the club.
The 21-year-old has been suspended by the club since January 30, 2022, over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online.
Greenwood was facing charges including attempted rape and assault until the Crown Prosecution Service announced six and a half months ago that the case had been discontinued.
The forward has remained suspended by United throughout this period and the club have now confirmed the forward will be not be returning to the Old Trafford set-up.
The PA news agency understands the club are working with Greenwoodâs family to find the right environment for him to continue his career, with discussions under way to find the correct solution.
United said in a club statement: âManchester United has concluded its internal investigation into the allegations made against Mason Greenwood.
âOur process commenced in February 2023, following all charges against Mason being dropped.
âThroughout, we have taken into account the wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim along with the clubâs standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible.
âThis has required us to proceed with sensitivity and care to obtain evidence not in the public domain, including from those with direct knowledge of the case.
âBased on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged.
âThat said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.
âAll those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.
âIt has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome. â
Greenwood scored 35 goals in 129 matches for the club, with his last appearance coming on January 22, 2022.
The forwardâs Old Trafford contract runs until June 2025, including the option to extend for a further year, and United sources indicated that the player is not expected to play for the club again.
A panel of senior United executives was convened to investigate the allegations made against Greenwood and did not believe they had the grounds to terminate his contract.
Greenwood said in a statement: âI want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and I know people will think the worst.
âI was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.
âHowever, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.
âI am learning to understand my responsibilities to set a good example as a professional footballer, and Iâm focused on the big responsibility of being a father, as well as a good partner.
âTodayâs decision has been part of a collaborative process between Manchester United, my family and me.
âThe best decision for us all, is for me to continue my football career away from Old Trafford, where my presence will not be a distraction for the club.
âI thank the club for their support since I joined aged seven. There will always be a part of me which is United.
âI am enormously grateful to my family and all my loved ones for their support, and it is now for me to repay the trust those around me have shown. I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch.â
Although Greenwood said he was cleared of all charges, in fact it was the CPS which decided not to proceed with the case.
A CPS spokesperson said in February: âWe have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
âIn 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 circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.â
It was reported last week that chief executive Richard Arnold told the clubâs executive leadership in early August that United were planning to bring Greenwood back.
That story and further information led increased pressure on the club, with Arnold publishing a public letter to supporters upon the conclusion of their internal investigation.
The chief executive said that, while United âwere unable to access certain evidence for reasons we respectâ, the evidence they did âcollate led us to conclude that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged withâ.
Arnold acknowledged timings had âbeen influenced by my desire to minimise the impact of the investigation on our menâs and womenâs teams, as well as our Lionessesâ and said âthe alternative would have been to compromise due process or create untimely disruptionâ.
âLast week the media reported that we had decided to reintegrate Mason and that elements of a plan to do so had been leaked to them,â the United CEO said. âReintegration was one of the outcomes we considered and planned for.
âFor context, over the course of the past six months several outcomes have been contemplated and planned for, and my view has evolved as our process progressed.
âWhile the ultimate decision rested with me, I was taking various factors and views into account right up until the point of finalising my decision.
âWhile I am satisfied that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with, Masonâs accepted that he has made mistakes which he takes responsibility for.
âI am also mindful of the challenge that Mason would face rebuilding his career and raising a baby together with his partner in the harsh spotlight of Manchester United.
âFurther, this case has provoked strong opinions, and it is my responsibility to minimise any distraction to the unity we are seeking within the club.
âAlthough we have decided that Mason will seek to rebuild his career away from Manchester United, that does not signal the end of this matter.
âThe club will continue to offer its support both to the alleged victim and Mason to help them rebuild and move forward positively with their lives.â
The charity Womenâs Aid, which works to end domestic abuse against women and children, welcomed the announcement from United.
A spokeswoman said: âWe know that todayâs news from Manchester United that Greenwood will be moving on from the club will be a relief for many survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
âFootball is loved by so many people worldwide, and players are often idolised by fans, so the way that alleged domestic abuse cases are treated in clubs has a huge impact on public understanding about what is accepted and tolerated in society.â
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