Charges of attempted rape and assault against Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood were dropped on Thursday, sparking a massive reaction among fans of the club.
In any other situation, Manchester United would have been happy to have Mason Greenwood back after spending the last few months looking for a Cristiano Ronaldo replacement. Who better to fill Ronaldo's shoes after his bitter departure than a rising star nurtured in the club's traditions, a seasoned first-team member, and a young guy considered mainly their finest finisher?
In that regard, Greenwood appears to be a better fit than 6'6" Dutchman Wout Weghorst, brought in last month on loan from Burnley to help guide United's assault. However, in reality, the Red Devils face a terrible situation as they attempt to traverse a moral minefield in light of Greenwood's prospective availability following the dismissal of the attempted rape and assault allegations against him on Thursday.
“I am relieved that this matter is over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support," the 21-year-old said.
United has made preparations for life without him after his initial arrest in the last year, even writing off an asset valued at close to 134 million pounds just a month ago.
According to some of the transfer fees paid during the January transfer window, Greenwood's worth may be considerably higher if he had kept up his current course. But the truth is that he didn't, and when police arrived at Greenwood's door in January 2022, his glittering career ended abruptly. However, on Thursday, when the Crown Prosecution Service stated that no further action would be taken against the young forward, United found themselves in a soup.
There's no denying that the damage is done. Greenwood's reputation, as well as that of his club and sponsors, was tainted from the outset by the leaked audio file that set off this series of events.
Following his incarceration, Nike quickly severed connections with the United player without payment due to reputational harm and lost business value. A new arrangement that would have been worth millions was already the subject of negotiations.
While the charges were being looked into, Cadbury, one of United's official partners, announced it would not use him in any marketing materials and that all traces of him had vanished from the FIFA 22 video game and United's online store for merchandise.
In United's situation, one of the goals of the internal investigation that was started on Thursday is to assess whether or not he has damaged the reputation of the team to the point where his 70,000 pounds per week contract, which has more than two years still to run, can be terminated. After all, this is a moral dilemma that transcends the field of play.
United has a massive global following and numerous international sponsors. Are the Red Devils willing to make Greenwood run out at Old Trafford once more in a red shirt? Are the supporters ready to see the forward back in action?
Here's what United fans had to say:
Those in favour of seeing Greenwood return to the playing XI:
This Greenwood story reminds me of Eric Cantona situation in 1995. Got suspended from football for 9 month came back again and man utd won the league. YES!!! pic.twitter.com/x8DVAlPEOi
— kobi🇦🇷🔫 (@kobiwaynejr)Wait y’all think if United let go of greenwood no big team in Europe would sign him up quickly🤣🤣🤣 lmao you must very dumb…true United fans welcomes our golden boy back w open arms ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/cGkjQOGWuw
— Indispensable~22~ (@Dangizzzzz)Greenwood deserves a second chance 🥺🥺 🙏 pic.twitter.com/H5wLjWCivp
— UNITED CHRONICLES (@ManUtd_Chro)👊🏼🗞 Jadon Sancho and the possible return of Mason Greenwood will feel like two world class signings. pic.twitter.com/or72cgIaGZ
— United Radar (@UnitedRadar)Omg! Can't believe I might have another chance to watch my Golden Boy Mason Greenwood cook Once again😭 pic.twitter.com/vtWtpA4PJT
— BiggieFunke🔰 (@UtdDjtizz)I still want Mason Greenwood back playing at Manchester United. Whatever you think of this is your own personal problem.
He will play and I will drink y'all tears pic.twitter.com/eBzqyuUZBJ
Some rival fans would secretly live to have Mason Greenwood in their team they just want to take advantage of ot ans cause more chaos because its Manchester united
— Abraham Atta M.U.F.C (@AttaAbraham)Any fans that don't want greenwood at united pitch again, should resign of being Manchester united fans, my G is still in squard list. pic.twitter.com/uiWAoCzTMM
— Lawal ridwanullahi kolade (@Lawalridwanull3)Eric Cantona got suspended like this in the past and even more United didn’t terminate his deal and he rather came back stronger to win the league. 📌. Try and be wise when dropping sounds (Mason Greenwood)🫶🏻🦾💪🧠
— Adekunle Commando (@AdekunleComman1)I will accept Mason greenwood back to the team with my full chest pic.twitter.com/UsTdT6i6kL
— Divine Ezeh (@Divine3390)Those against seeing Greenwood back in United's helm:
Mason Greenwood should not play football again.
— george (@StokeyyG2)An immediate loan as far away as possible. Run the contact down and release and that’s only if his contract can’t be paid up or terminated. No way should he play for us again.
— Ian Stirling (@Stirling061)The power of money honestly how have all charges against Mason Greenwood been dropped and he can go back to playing football. Are you forgetting what the scumbag done?
Just in case you did, here’s a reminder!!
pic.twitter.com/o8YMmUNTDe
I speak for every football fan when i say Mason Greenwood should not be welcomed to play football again... pic.twitter.com/nKEVzxkt1E
— 👑Nasir🇸🇴 (@lfcnasir11)A world where Mason Greenwood, a certified sexual abuser, and rapist walks free despite evidence of his crime is a sad one.
The justice system is rigged for d rich and famous. There is a dire need for d activities of vigilantes like Robinhood and d punisher or d Daredevil. pic.twitter.com/JOEvBrZgIV
if the club has any ounce of morality he will be released and never play football again, charges dropped does NOT mean innocent https://t.co/F3vcAfHJok
— lucas🐿 ≅ (@lucasinlothian)The only reason he has been let go same as Benjamin Mendy is because they have money 👍🏻 they will both never play football again! https://t.co/BLyua6ivs5
— TheManUtdHive (@gerard_ryan3711)Greenwood shouldn't go near this Man Utd squad, we don't need that "Domestic Violence" Drama & "Rape Allegation" question every week. Ten Hag has had enough Drama Queens to deal with already, we are going to the Top Quietly🙏
You can follow MG to his new club if yu love him Smch https://t.co/PXv3UH4mE2
There’s no way Greenwood can play for Man Utd again.
Great footballer but he’s a rapist. Think Man United will be doing all they can to sack him.
This mason greenwood situation makes me so angry, he’s an absolute rat and anyone defending him should be put on the register
— scarlet (@scarlet_halsall)This incident is just wrong on both sides, Greenwood should be in prison with the key threw away, simple. On the flip side why was her dad wanting to take money to shut up? Any other dad would be joining Greenwood in prison, no amount of money will fix a scar for life🤔 https://t.co/0fpjuE87qH
— Brett_H23 (@brettH2898)Mason Greenwood should never be allowed to play for ever again. In fact he should never be allowed to play professional Football again. https://t.co/ZPnb8i5BRK
— Pavvy G (@pavyg)