Man Utd are 'still paying Mason Greenwood his full wage' as exit strategy emerges

Manchester United have announced Mason Greenwood will leave the club but he's still set to earn his weekly wage.

Following charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control against him being dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023, United conducted a thorough internal investigation of their own.

The review was initially set to be concluded prior to the start of the new season but ended up being delayed.

Reports had indicated that the club were planning to reintegrate the 21-year-old back into Erik ten Hag's plans, leading to monumental backlash from fans.

But the outcome of the investigation was confirmed on Monday afternoon, with United releasing an official statement confirming a mutual decision for Greenwood to continue his playing career away from Old Trafford.

That was followed by a statement from Greenwood himself, who said he "did not do the things I was accused of", as well as an open letter from chief executive Richard Arnold explaining the choice made and the findings of the review.

United said: "It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome."

According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail Greenwood is likely to be loaned out before being sold permanently or released following a mutual contract termination.

The England international is still contracted until 2025 but he is not expected to play for United again, with his final appearance for the Red Devils coming in a 1-0 win over West Ham back in January 2022 prior to his arrest.

Greenwood has been suspended with full pay and as per Simon Stone of the BBC, he will continue to train alone as opposed to returning to United training.

Mason Greenwood remains on full pay. All options remain open re future but he is not coming back to train at Man Utd and no expectation of him playing for club again post loan/sale.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) August 21, 2023

However, he is still set to receive his reported £75,000-a-week salary from United. In his statement on the outcome, Greenwood admitted it was "the best decision" for all parties and vowed to be a "better footballer, but also "a good father" and "better person".

He said: "The best decision for us all, is for me to continue my football career away from Old Trafford, where my presence will not be a distraction for the club.

"I thank the club for their support since I joined aged seven. There will always be a part of me which is United.

"I am enormously grateful to my family and all my loved ones for their support, and it is now for me to repay the trust those around me have shown.

"I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch."

Greenwood has been with United since the age of seven and made his debut as a 17-year-old against Paris Saint-Germain back in March 2019.

He went on to score 35 goals in 129 games for the club. In March, it was reported that United had turned down offers from clubs to bring him on loan.