Manchester United are set to delay the Mason Greenwood decision so the club can consult the Women's World Cup stars.
The Red Devils had hoped to make the decision on whether Greenwood will be allowed to continue at the club before their opening game of the new Premier League season against Wolves next Monday.
But club chiefs believe making the correct decision is more important than an arbitrary deadline as they seek for more consultation.
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They remain in talks with key stakeholders, with The Guardian claiming Man United want their women's team players who are at the World Cup to also be part of the process.
Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem remain in Australia for the World Cup and that is a major factor in the time being taken to make a decision on Greenwood.
The Lionesses, who beat Nigeria on penalties last Monday, face Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday. If they win, then they would stay until the weekend of August 19-20.
Greenwood has not played for Man United since the 2021/22 season. He was arrested in January 2022 and was later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The 21-year-old denied all the charges and they were dropped earlier this year.
The Man United forward, who graduated from the club's youth academy, has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances during his spell at Old Trafford.
He bagged six goals in all competitions in the 2021/22 campaign, having netted 12 goals in all competitions the season before and scored 17 goals in all competitions in his first full term at the club.
Topics: Mason Greenwood, Manchester United, Football
Nasir Jabbar