Man Utd may keep Mason Greenwood as 'talks held over return' pending investigation outcome

Manchester United may be about to make a decision over Mason Greenwood's future at Old Trafford.

United will begin their pre-season preparations on Thursday when non-international members of the squad return to Carrington for training.

Greenwood will not be present and remains suspended by the club, according to The Athletic.

Greater Manchester Police announced on February 2 that the 21-year-old no longer faces criminal proceedings.

Greenwood had been charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault.

But all charges against him were dropped after key witnesses withdrew their involvement in the case and new material came to light during the police investigation.

Greenwood remains suspended by the club and has not trained with the first team or been available to play since he was first arrested in January 2022.

He remains on full pay while the club conducts an internal investigation into his behaviour before making a final decision over his future.

What is the latest on Greenwood?

With the club's first pre-season friendly against Leeds less than a week away, United are yet to announce the outcome of their investigation.

But The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell has suggested the club is leaning towards keeping Greenwood.

"While the outcome is not yet known, there is an impression that United are minded to keep Greenwood contracted to the club," wrote Whitwell.

"That would mean steering clear of terminating his contract or negotiating a departure, and leaving the options of bringing him back to the first team or sending him out on loan.

"The situation is complicated and delicate, though, with a widespread belief there is a split in opinion on what to do between the football side of operations at United and the commercial department."

Greenwood is contracted to United until 2025, with the option of an additional year, and manager Erik ten Hag has refused to rule out him returning to the squad.

In an interview with The Times, Ten Hag said that Greenwood had "showed in the past that he is capable of doing that [centre forward role]" but said a decision over his future would be made by the club.

"Talks are said to have already taken place over the difficulties associated with reintegrating Greenwood. Some planning on how it might be possible has already taken place," added The Athletic report.

Ultimately the decision is expected to made by chief executive Richard Arnold and the club's co-owner Joel Glazer, based on the report carried out by other executives.

The Manchester Evening News report that United are focused on 'settling on an outcome before next season begins'.

United face Wolves in their opening Premier League game on August 14, meaning a decision over Greenwood's future is expected in the coming weeks.