Sport

Richard Fitzpatrick: United score own goal as impact of Mason Greenwood case lingers

The Manchester club had planned to reintegrate the football star after charges of attempted rape were dropped, but backed off as opposition to the move grew

Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood, 21, was suspended by the club last year following his arrest on suspicion of attempted rape and assault; the charges were dropped in February. Picture: Getty

On Monday, Manchester United announced that Mason Greenwood, one of its brightest young talents, would not be part of its squad this season.

The statement represented a spectacular U-turn by the club, whose leadership team decided in crisis talks the previous Friday to nix plans for re-integrating the star striker into Erik ten Hag’s team.

It highlighted too the complex set of moral, legal, commercial and public relations considerations sporting organisations have to grapple with ...