Mason Greenwood leaving Manchester United: Club statements, why Red Devils made decision and what happens next

On August 21, 2023, following a lengthy internal investigation — and before that a series of criminal charges, which were eventually dropped — Manchester United confirmed Mason Greenwood would be leaving the club.

The club concluded, in a statement released more than six months after the United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) discontinued the case against Greenwood, that "it would be most appropriate for" the player to continue his career away from Old Trafford.

Greenwood had been charged with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with all three charges related to the same complainant. The charges were dropped in February, after which United's own investigation began.

It followed the release of videos, images and an audio recording into the public domain on January 30, 2022. A few days earlier, Greenwood had played for United in a 1-0 win over West Ham, which is now set to prove his final game in the famous red shirt.

MORE: Full timeline of events in Mason Greenwood case and Man United's decision

Is Mason Greenwood leaving Manchester United?

In a word, yes. United's August 2023 statement — which you can read in full below — concluded by saying: "All those involved [in the internal investigation], 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, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome."

It's important to stress that United are not terminating Greenwood's contract as it's believed their internal investigation told them they don't have grounds to do so.

So, he will either be sold or loaned before the summer transfer window closes on September 1. The Athletic report, however, that "the club say they do not expect an eventuality where a loan move leads to the player representing United again in the future".

What was Mason Greenwood accused of?

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) statement released in January 2022, shortly after the images and recordings were posted on social media, confirmed Greenwood had been arrested, accused of rape and assault, with the specific charges to be determined after an investigation. GMP said they had seen "social media images and videos posted by a woman reporting incidents of physical violence".

In February, Greenwood — who always denied all allegations against him — was re-arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill.

He was charged with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He then appeared before a magistrates' court in Manchester in October 2022 before being released on bail. Then, in February 2023, the CPS said there was no longer a realistic chance of conviction after key witnesses withdrew their co-operation. All charges were dropped against him and the case discontinued.

Greenwood had been suspended by United since the day the initial images were first leaked, but the club then announced it would be conducting its own internal investigation into the allegations, with the ultimate goal of deciding if the player would be allowed to recommence his career at Old Trafford.

Manchester United investigation, Mason Greenwood, Richard Arnold statements

It was initially reported by The Athletic's Adam Crafton that United were preparing for Greenwood's return to the first-team picture following the conclusion of their investigation. It had been said the club consulted "key stakeholders" but was delaying the announcement to consult members of United's Women's team, away at the time playing in the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The initial Athletic report prompted a backlash towards the club from many fans online, as well as notable journalists, pundits and even politicians, with a protest from a group named 'Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return' outside Old Trafford before United's first game of the 2023/24 season against Wolves.

The Athletic said that "a plan for reintegration that had gone through more than a dozen iterations" with head coach Erik ten Hag also said to be "open" to Greenwood's return and the plan including "divid[ing] people into categories to the effect of 'supportive', 'open-minded' or 'hostile', with domestic abuse charities dubbed 'hostile'". The final decision always rested with chief executive Richard Arnold.

On August 23, United confirmed that Greenwood would be leaving the club. An 'open letter', released via the club by Arnold shortly after, detailed why and how the club came to that decision:

"Our investigation sought to collate as much evidence as possible to establish facts and context. This was not a quick or straightforward process for a variety of reasons. It was essential for us to respect the rights and wishes of the alleged victim. Also, we have limited powers of investigation which meant we were reliant on third party cooperation. Timings have also been influenced by my desire to minimise the impact of the investigation on our men's and women's teams, as well as our Lionesses. I acknowledge that this gave more time for speculation, but the alternative would have been to compromise due process or create untimely disruption.

"Last 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. Reintegration was one of the outcomes we considered and planned for. For 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. While the ultimate decision rested with me, I was taking various factors and views into account right up until the point of finalising my decision."

The earlier club statement concluded the findings of United's internal investigation, saying:

"Based 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. That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for."

On that issue, Arnold said:

"While I am satisfied that Mason did not commit the acts he was charged with, Mason's accepted that he has made mistakes which he takes responsibility for. I 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. Further, this case has provoked strong opinions, and it is my responsibility to minimise any distraction to the unity we are seeking within the club.

"Although we have decided that Mason will seek to rebuild his career away from Manchester United, that does not signal the end of this matter. The 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."

Further details in Arnold's letter were given via bullet points, although he noted he and the club were restricted to what they could reveal for legal reasons, including the alleged victim's ongoing right to anonymity:

"The alleged victim requested the police to drop their investigation in April 2022.
"We were provided with alternative explanations for the audio recording, which was a short excerpt from a much longer recording, and for the images posted online.
"The alleged victim's family participated in the process and were given the opportunity to review and correct our factual findings."

Here is Greenwood's own statement in full, released on the same day as the ones made by the club and the open letter by Arnold:

"I 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.

"I 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. However, 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.
I am learning to understand my responsibilities to set a good example as a professional footballer, and I’m focused on the big responsibility of being a father, as well as a good partner.

"Today's decision has been part of a collaborative process between Manchester United, my family and me. The 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. I thank the club for their support since I joined aged seven. There will always be a part of me which is United.

"I 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."

The series of statements prompted plenty of reaction, including from Female Fans Against Greenwood's return and the charity Women's Aid, whose statement (which you can see in full with this link) said:

"We know that today's 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. We have heard first-hand the impact this case and the related materials shared on social media have had on survivors of abuse, and while next steps are established following the outcome of Manchester United’s internal investigation, this will happen away from centre stage of Old Trafford.

"We reached out to Manchester United last week in light of the statement made on Wednesday, and have since had conversations with the club. We want to work collaboratively with football clubs and organisations to increase understanding and awareness of domestic abuse, as part of our ongoing football campaign."

We hope MUFC and the whole football world will wake up to their responsibilities after this shameful incident. Female fans aren't passive customers. We are real people with real experiences, and we will make hell in defence of the clubs we love, and in defence of each other.

— Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return (@FFAGR2023) August 21, 2023

Mason Greenwood next club: Where will he go?

Before the conclusion of United's internal investigation, it had been suggested in some media reports that Greenwood could be loaned out by the club, with teams in Italy and Turkey cited as possible suitors.

It now seems — although it has not been specifically confirmed — much more likely that Greenwood will make a clean break with the Red Devils.

Many clubs may not wish to invoke the kind of fan backlash that Greenwood's mooted reintegration at United prompted, with a move abroad far the most likely prospect.

It's possible that Greenwood could be bought by a club in the Saudi Pro League.

Mason Greenwood contract, salary at Manchester United

It was widely reported that Greenwood's final contract at United, agreed and announced in February 2021 — to run until June 2025, with the option of an additional year — was worth around £75,000 ($96,000) per week.

The Athletic has claimed United have continued to pay him this throughout the period of his suspension. And although the club have announced the player will leave Old Trafford, they have stopped short of terminating his contract, or paying out a compensation fee.

Mason Greenwood career, stats

Greenwood, who spent his entire youth career with the club, made his senior Manchester United debut in March 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. In total, he made 129 appearances for the club, scoring 35 goals.

The below table, correct as of August 21, 2023, details Greenwood's career stats, with all of his domestic appearances having come for United between 2018 and 2022. He also has one cap for England.