Mason Greenwood ‘decision’ expected imminently by Man Utd as Adidas deny claims

Manchester United are expected to make a decision on Mason Greenwood’s future at the club before the 2023/24 gets under way on 14 August, according to reports.

The attacker has not played for United since January 2022, when he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault. In October that year he was charged with rape, assault and using controlling and coercive behaviour, before those charges were dropped in February 2023 due to ‘withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light’.

Greenwood was suspended by United when he was first arrested, and remained so after the case was dropped in February, with the club stating they would hold an internal investigation into the matter. Nearly six months on and it appears a verdict is close, ahead of the new Premier League campaign beginning against Wolverhampton Wanderers in two weeks’ time.

The Guardian report that United will make a decision before 14 August, which will ‘clarify whether the forward will remain a United player or leave’.

The news also comes after a report in the Sun last week stated the 21-year-old is ‘desperate to stay’ at United after he was ‘backed’ by the club’s kit manufacturer, Adidas, to return to the team. “Adidas’ intervention may seal a sensational comeback to Old Trafford after weeks of speculation that he could go out on loan,” the outlet added.

Yet, in response, Adidas released a statement, via the Daily Star, claiming they have not backed Greenwood’s return to the team. “After inaccurate and speculative reporting within the media it’s important for us to clarify that Adidas has had no discussions with Manchester United regarding any member of their playing squad,” claimed the German fashion brand. “We play no role in any decisions made regarding any member of the team or staff at the club.”

Meanwhile, Greenwood, who became a father earlier this month, has been pictured training by himself over recent months in an effort to build up fitness. The Bradford-born academy graduate is the subject of interest from Atalanta, who enquired about a possible loan move during the negotiations for Rasmus Hojlund.

Prior to his arrest, Greenwood had made 129 senior appearances for United and had scored 35 goals.