Controversy Surrounds Mason Greenwood’s Exit from Manchester United
Table of Contents
After announcing Mason Greenwood’s departure, Manchester United came under fire from Gary Neville for how they handled the situation.
Greenwood will be leaving the Red Devils, according to a statement the team issued on Monday (August 21). The 21-year-old was detained in January 2022 on suspicion of sexual assault-related offences, but the accusations were later withdrawn.
Mason Greenwood is to leave #mufc. United say: 'All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United. It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford.'
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 21, 2023
Then, Manchester United carried out its own internal probe into the situation. This process took several months, during which time fans received little information about its development or the viewpoints of Old Trafford’s management.
Neville has criticised his previous team for their debatable inquiry. The proper choice was taken, he told Sky Sports: “Yes, I think [they made the right decision]. It was clear from day one, to me and to everyone who saw what was released, that he would never play for Manchester United.”
The commentator continued by going into detail about the inquiry, which he described as horrifying: “They got there, but I would say the process to get there was pretty horrific. I think when you have important and difficult situations like this, it requires strong and authoritative leadership and it comes from the very top and Manchester United don’t have that.”
Before receiving a significant amount of negative feedback from fans, the club was reportedly ready to bring Greenwood back. After that, they reversed course, which angered a lot of people in the public owing to the nature of their original choice.
Neville touched on this when he provided the following justification for not letting United make such a significant decision: “And on an issue like domestic abuse and violence against women, that brings me to a third point: it takes independence. Manchester United must not be judge and jury on such an important issue, not only for themselves, but also for the game.”
In regards to Greenwood’s departure from the team, the Red Devils claim they will cooperate with him. His entire career has been spent at Old Trafford, as he rose through the youth ranks before transitioning to the senior team in 2018. In 129 games across various tournaments, he collected 35 goals and 12 assists.
Manchester United’s Choice on Greenwood Applauded by Women’s Equality Party, Statement Critiqued
The Women’s Equality Party (WEP) applauds Manchester United for not rehiring Greenwood. Yet they adamantly maintain that ‘enormous’ press and social media pressure was the driving force behind the choice.
The Women’s Equality Party (WEP) applauds Manchester United for not rehiring Greenwood. Yet they adamantly maintain that ‘enormous’ press and social media pressure was the driving force behind the choice.
Chris Paouros, a WEP representative, is cited by The Daily Mail. He claims there was no regret in the club’s statement: “Manchester United’s statement today showed no remorse, despite admitting to ‘mistakes’, it doesn’t take responsibility, and it doesn’t once mention how the club is tackling violence against women and girls.”
It hasn’t helped address the problem of domestic violence, according to Paouros’s further claims: “It will do nothing to reassure women that claims made against men in positions of power in their club will be taken seriously.”
As it relates to Greenwood’s circumstance, there has been division inside the United camp. According to reports, Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag and his players are amenable to his coming back. Nevertheless, if he had returned, a few employees thought about quitting the club.
