Manchester United Score Own Goal With Brash Statements On Mason Greenwood And His "Mistakes"

Manchester United's statements on Mason Greenwood and his "mistakes" read like desperate attempts by the club to save face and money... but at what cost?

Mason Greenwood will never play for Manchester United again.

The club confirmed its decision on Monday in a statement explaining that it had been "mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate" for Greenwood to continue his career away from Old Trafford.

Many will see this as United finally doing the right thing after months of deliberation. But it is hard to commend the club on its verdict when you consider how and why it was reached.

Mason Greenwood will not play for Manchester United again :: IMAGO/Sportimage/Jonathan Moscrop

Greenwood had been charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling behavior, and assault last year.

But all charges against him were dropped more than six months ago when the Crown Prosecution Service said it had a "duty to stop the case" following the "withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light".

United then conducted its own internal club investigation, which boldly "concluded" in a statement on Monday that "based on the evidence available to us" Greenwood "did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged".

The statement added: "That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for."

United's decision to effectively announce its own ruling on a case that had previously been in the hands of the British justice system was incredibly brash and will not sit comfortably with a lot of people.

Former United captain Gary Neville expressed his unease. "On an issue like domestic abuse, on violence against women, there needs to be independence," said Neville on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.

"It shouldn't be that Manchester United are the judge and jury on such a significant issue. Not just for themselves, but also for the game. People talk about the reputation of Manchester United but it's the Premier League here as well.

"My view is that on issues of this importance and severity, they should be dealt with independently by a panel.

"It's been clear that Manchester United have not had the skill and ability to deal with this situation properly. It's been well above their grade of experience and ability."

Gary Neville was critical of how United handled the situation involving Greenwood :: IMAGO/Jacques Feeney

Neville's comments came after three statements had been issued on Monday. United's official club statement came first. Greenwood then issued his, before United CEO Richard Arnold wrote an open letter to fans.

All three statements mentioned Greenwood's "mistakes" without explaining what those mistakes had been.

The thing about mistakes is that they can often be forgiven. But forgiveness requires an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, as well as a genuine willingness to do better. 

Greenwood said in his statement: "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."

Many of us are aware of the harrowing social media post he was referring to. However, it is not clear what mistakes Greenwood was admitting to - only that they seemingly do not include attempted rape, engaging in controlling behavior or assault.

If public redemption is what Greenwood seeks then a more specific admission of what he believes his mistakes were would have been a significant step.

Greenwood admitted to making "mistakes" in his relationship but insisted he had not been guilty of rape, engaging in controlling behavior or assault :: IMAGO/PA Images/Martin Rickett

Monday's statements all reeked of the sweat of the lawyers that had clearly carefully supported their curation in an attempt to limit the damage done to the club and the player.

Greenwood is still only 21 and, despite having not played a game of football since January 2022, United still regard him as an asset financially.

His contract is not due to expire until June 2025 and his reported weekly wage of £75,000 is still being paid by the club.

If the club's investigation found that Greenwood's mistakes were not justifiable cause for termination then it would cost United between £7 million and £8m to rip up his contract today.

That is a lot of money, yet relatively small change to a club that just agreed to pay around £72m to sign another young forward, Rasmus Hojlund, from Atalanta this summer.

United chiefs are now keen to find a buyer for Greenwood so that they can recoup some financial compensation from his now-inevitable departure, while also removing him from the wage bill without the need for more involvement from lawyers.

But whatever transfer fee United manage to get is unlikely to be worth the harm caused to the club's reputation by how poorly this unpleasant affair has been handled.

Arnold said in his open letter that Greenwood's case had "provoked strong opinions" and that part of the decision to part ways with the player was to minimize "any distraction to the unity we are seeking within the club."

This came after many fans and club staff members threatened to walk away from United if Greenwood returned.

Arnold, like Greenwood, made a mistake.

It was widely reported - led by the journalistic work of The Athletic's Adam Crafton - that Arnold had been keen to keep Greenwood before becoming aware of the internal revolt that such a decision would spark.

United CEO Richard Arnold oversaw the club's investigation into allegations made against Greenwood :: IMAGO/PA Images/Nick Potts

This ugly episode should never have been allowed to drag on for so long.

United is seen by many as more than a football club, as more than a multi-billion-pound business.

But United's handling of this case - as well as trivializing the subject of domestic abuse - has sadly reinforced the reality that, even for England's most successful footballing institution, money trumps principles.