A video game which is an official partner of Man United’s has hinted that the club are set to announce their decision to keep Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood, 21, had charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February. Since then, United have been conducting an internal investigation; discussing the prospect of Greenwood’s return with their footballing department, key stakeholders and sponsors.
With a decision expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks, despite the threat of fan protests, the club’s official video game partner, eFootball, has suggested that United chiefs may have already decided to retain Greenwood. The popular game, developed by Japanese animation firm Konami, announced the Red Devils’ squad list for their upcoming release and included the currently suspended forward.
Greenwood, who has been given a rating of 75, hasn’t played for or trained with United since January last year. Following his arrest, the developers of eFootball made the decision to remove the 21-year-old’s name, avatar and virtual player from their 2022 database.
But Greenwood’s reinstatement for their 2023 edition has led some fans to presume that his return to the pitch is in the pipeline, although he still could be loaned out or sold before the transfer window closes on September 1. That’s despite the striker, capped once by England, not being given his No.11 shirt when the Red Devils announced their provisional numbers ahead of the new season.
The club noted on their wesbite: “Others will start the season in their existing numbers but with the possibility of change after the transfer window closes when it will be clear which other numbers in the squad are vacant.”
During United’s pre-season tour of the United States, Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag was asked to provide an update on Greenwood’s situation but remained typically coy. “It’s a club decision,” Ten Hag affirmed, having previously failed to rule out the possibility of the academy graduate – who is currently training individually and having his data monitored by United – returning.
“Of course I have said my ideas and opinions but it’s a club decision. We all have to accept that. I can’t say so much about it, but what I say is I shared my opinion about it, so let’s see what’s going to happen and what the decision will be.”