It is no news that Mason Greenwood will be leaving Manchester United this summer following the decision made by the club’s board over allegations of domestic violence and assault.
The Man United academy product will look elsewhere to continue his career after the English club have decided to let him go.
However, the decision has extra information which has something to do with a public backlash against bringing the player back to the team.
After six months of the process being monitored by an executive panel, on Monday, 21st of August, Manchester United finally announced the outcome of their investigation.
The club made it known to Mason Greenwood that it would be most reasonable for him to reestablish his career away from the Old Trafford outfit.
This came about as a result of what United considers to be a meticulous analysis of the information and circumstances surrounding the upsetting content posted on social media in January 2022.
The Crown Prosecution Services filed charges against Greenwood for attempted rape, assault, and using coercive and controlling behavior as a result of the horrifying pictures and audio recordings.
That occurred on October 15, 2022, the same day that he allegedly broke one of his bail conditions.
Meanwhile, all charges were dropped against the 21-year-old in February 2023, after crucial witnesses discontinued their interest and a new substance emerged.
At that point, Man United’s investigation got underway, overseen by CEO Richard Arnold, chief operating officer Collette Roche, football director John Murtough, legal counsel Patrick Stewart, and chief communications officer Ellie Norman.
Inviting the academy graduate back to Carrington was simply one of the many possibilities that were analyzed, not the result.
According to some club personnel, the original plan was to welcome the Greenwood back into the team, as a result, it was necessary to explain the reasoning to important parties, including the women’s squad, before it was made general.
The fact that United took so long to announce their decisions which were supposed to be made public before the start of the current Premier League season supports those assertions.
This timeline required to be adjusted because Manchester United players Mary Earps, Ella Toone, and Katie Zelem participated in the just concluded 2023 Women’s World Cup.
United were adamant that pressure from both inside and outside the club would not cause them to change their mind about acting on the truth.
However, it was much overestimated how strongly the team, fans, and general public felt about Greenwood’s comeback.
On Wednesday, 16th of August, United looked to be laying the groundwork for reintegration in a holding statement. By Friday, that situation appeared to be hopeless.
The most recent set of communique issued by the club shows agreement with this. Arnold penned an open letter that reads: “I am 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”.
He added: “Further, this case has provoked strong opinions, and it is my responsibility to minimize any distraction to the unity we are seeking within the club”.
The 21-year-old admits as much. Greenwood claimed: “I did not do the things I was accused of” but “I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.”
He also added: “In February I was cleared of all charges”. The CPS said the charges were discontinued”.
Both the choice and the process leading up to it were accompanied by ambiguous communication from Manchester United.
Women’s Aid contacted the club on Wednesday in response to United’s holding statement following claims that they viewed organizations that support victims of domestic abuse as negative.
Their goal was straightforward but crucial, raising awareness of an issue that negatively affected 1.7 million women in the UK every year.
This staggering number was made even more distressing by the fact that only 24% of such crimes are reported to the police.
This was the first conversation with an organization specializing in supporting women through domestic and sexual assault that had taken place throughout a half-year process that United claims were carefully considered and thorough, and it only took place because Women’s Aid took the initiative.
The most major fault in United’s inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Greenwood’s arrest in January 2022 was their failure to consult with organizations that could have better informed and directed their process.
The club’s words and general handling of the situation reveal a blind area in their understanding of domestic and sexual abuse.
United have consistently insisted that they did not need to determine whether Greenwood had broken the law but rather whether his behavior was consistent with the ideals the institution aspires to uphold.
None of his previous infractions at the club were taken into consideration for the investigation, some of which were made public and some of which were kept private.
United claims that the context and facts surrounding Greenwood’s arrest were the main points of attention.
Manchester United concluded that Mason Greenwood did not commit the acts he was charged with despite being unable to access certain evidence for the reasons.
Given the reputational harm incurred over the previous several days, it will be necessary to face some unpleasant facts regarding whether the way the matter was handled reflected the standards the club wished to uphold.
All levels of United staff have been open in admitting that if Mason Greenwood had been an average player, he would have been dropped as soon as he was suspended.
It is alleged that to enforce outcomes on the field, United was initially willing to forfeit sponsors, and a ton of other commercial revenue, and face opposition.
What’s next for Mason Greenwood?
As stated above, the English football player will continue to search for a new pasture as it was reported that several Saudi Arabia club sides are considering a move for the 21-year-old.
