Mason Greenwood 'set to be given buddies by Man Utd' as saga takes fresh twist
Mason Greenwood is set to be given 'buddies' by Man Utd with future still uncertain
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Mason Greenwood has the support of Manchester United players and manager Erik ten Hag amid his uncertain future at the club, according to reports.
The 21-year-old hasn't played for the Red Devils since being arrested for attempted rape and assault back in January 2022.
Charges were dropped in February 2023 and that means Greenwood is set to resume his career in football.
United have been conducting an internal investigation into the youngster ever since that development six months ago.
Man Utd are yet to make a final decision on Mason Greenwood's future
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And with a conclusion close, The Sun claim Greenwood has the support of his team-mates and manager Erik ten Hag with a return growing increasingly likely.
A source is quoted as saying: “Mason is working harder than ever on the training pitch.
"He’s desperate to return to the side as soon as possible and wants to put the last 18 months behind him.
"Talks about his future are in the final phase and the players and the manager are behind him.
“The only thing that remains to be decided is whether he returns to first-team action or goes out on a season-long loan.”
United are keen to announce a final decision on Greenwood's future prior to their Premier League opener with Wolves on Monday.
And the report also says Greenwood is set to be 'buddied up' with team-mates so he has a support network around him.
“There’s talk of buddying him up with teammates so he has a support network around him," another insider reportedly said.
"They want to ease him back gently and don’t want him isolated.”
Greenwood is said to be reluctant to relocate after recently becoming a father.
With United appearing to be willing to keep Greenwood on their books, at least for now, only one choice remains.
The club may re-integrate the striker, who has scored 35 goals from 129 appearances for the club.
Greenwood would then compete with Anthony Martial and new signing Rasmus Hojlund for a spot in Ten Hag's starting XI.
However, another possibility is the 21-year-old being sent out on loan.
Before United signed Hojlund from Atalanta, there was talk of the forward potentially heading to the Serie A side on a temporary basis.
Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan have also been linked with Greenwood.
Speaking last month, meanwhile, United legend Wayne Rooney opened up on the Red Devils' No 11 and suggested everybody would benefit from a fresh start.
“It leaves Mason Greenwood in a position where he is stuck," said Rooney.
"So for Mason, it’s a bad position to be in because I’m sure he just wants to play football.
"But for the club, its image and ensuring they make the right decisions, it’s almost a catch 22.
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Mason Greenwood hasn't played for Manchester United since January 2022
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"I think the best thing for Mason now is to get out of the club and go and develop somewhere else.
"He needs to get back playing because it has been a long time.
"With everything that has happened and how long the internal investigation has taken, it’s probably got to a place now where Mason just needs to go and play and to try and get his career back on track.
"It’s a difficult position for Mason but for the club as well.
"You have to make sure you get to the right decision before moving forward and it looks like they’re really struggling to get to that place.”