According to reports, Mason Greenwood has made contact with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for the first time since the charges against him were dropped in early February.
The forward, 21, was scheduled to stand trial in November, but Greater Manchester Police announced last week that the Crown Prosecution Service had dropped charges of rape, assault, and engaging in controlling and coercive behavior against him. The CPS said a “combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction”.
Greenwood is still unavailable for selection by United, who are conducting an internal investigation into the player’s conduct with no timetable for completion. Ten Hag declined.to comment on England’s international last week, but The Sun claims the pair spoke just days after the charges were dropped.
The reported phone call was the Dutchman’s first with Greenwood since taking over as Red Devils manager last summer. Following his arrest in January 2022, all communication between the club and the player was handled by a third party.
“Mason has spent a long time with very little – if any – contact from the club,” a source told The Sun. When they communicated, it was never directly and always through a third party. So the manager calling him was a big step for him, and he appreciated it.
“The manager asked how he was feeling physically and mentally and expressed his relief that the charges had been dropped. He felt it was the right thing to do to contact Mason. But he made it clear that the club, not him, will decide whether Mason can play for United again.”
Mason Greenwood’s charges were dropped in early February (Image: AFP via Getty Images).
Manchester United declined to comment on the story when approached by Mirror Football. Greenwood, according to the source, wants to “get his career back on track” after not playing competitive football in over a year.
The source added to the reported phone call with Ten Hag: “It uplifted Mason’s spirits. He’s been with United since he was six years old and just wants to play football for them again. He is happiest with a ball at his feet and wishes to resurrect his career. But he is aware that the club is facing a major decision.”
Greenwood is under contract at Manchester United until the summer of 2025. He has 35 goals in 129 appearances for United since making his senior debut in the Champions League in March 2019, and he has one England cap.
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