A top league source told BBC Sport that it would be “very surprising” if a Saudi Arabian team made a move for Mason Greenwood. This news comes amid speculation that the 21-year-old has caught the attention of Saudi teams after Manchester United determined he would not be on their first-team roster.
Unlikely United U-turn Over Youngster’s Future Allows for Return Elsewhere After Saudi Move for Mason Greenwood
When Adam Crafton revealed that CEO Richard Arnold had planned for Greenwood to rejoin the senior team, the decision to deny his request was reversed.
The final decision to drop the former England international is thought to have been made as a result of the backlash that the news of the decision caused. United has said that they will assist Greenwood in finding a new club, but it is unclear at this time whether it will be a permanent arrangement or a loan.
Raised Questions Regarding the Management of the Mason Greenwood Investigation
Concerns regarding the manner the club handled its internal inquiry into the player have been voiced by some detractors. Specifically, how cooperative the player was with an investigation into his own alleged maltreatment and sexual assault. Mason Greenwood has always refuted all claims made about the situation.
The club’s choice to permit its CEO to publicly state that Greenwood “did not commit the offences in which he was originally charged” based on the evidence they had at their disposal was another odd one. It is definitely unheard of for a club official to try and clear a player of criminal charges. The club’s obligation to an academy graduate received a lot more attention than its obligation to the alleged victim.
In February of this year, the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed charges against the player for attempted rape, coercive and controlling behavior, and assault resulting in actual bodily damage. They ascribed it to a “combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material.”
There are no known suitors for Greenwood, despite United’s declaration that he won’t play for the first team again. While it is undeniably true that he is talented and was once a promising prospect, any clubs that might otherwise be interested may be put off by the controversy and outside scrutiny that his acquisition may bring.
