In January 2022, Mason Greenwood, 21, was accused of assault by his partner at the time. The allegations were posted on Instagram; photos, videos, and voice clips, showing obvious signs of injury and forceful behaviour by a man, insisting that she would have sex with him, against her will. However, all of the charges against him have since been dropped and he’s now free to carry on with his life. Has he got a future at Manchester United?
Before these allegations came to light Mason Greenwood was a shining young star at the club, in the 83 appearances he made for the side he scored 22 goals and created many chances on the field, he certainly made an impact. Most definitely he was becoming the next big star for Man United at a time when this team certainly needed a fresh new spark. He was a fan favourite, amongst all ages of supporters. He was driven and had skills, a teenager that could change things. Where does this leave him now? Is there a chance that he could return to the club? Yes, of course, all of the charges have been dropped, and nothing is stopping him.
But what does this mean for the football community? The news of allegations being dropped and the possibility of him returning to football has worried many women; this does not create an environment that makes women feel safe, it doesn’t make them want to be a part of a community that lets alleged sex offenders back in. Giving Greenwood this platform to start playing again could give the wider community, people who don’t follow the sport usually but are familiar with the case, the wrong impression. There is little support from the team’s followers, and other football fans to see him back on the field, especially women, which is understandable as it plays into the belief that women are side-lined when it comes to cases similar to this one. Should Mason Greenwood be allowed to play again, I believe many women will boycott whichever team lets him continue playing.