Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood return plan included list of ‘hostile’

Manchester United’s plan to bring back Mason Greenwood was so advanced that the club even prepared documents outlining the type of images that should be taken of the player during training sessions and planned how manager Erik ten Hag should handle questions during an anticipated media storm.

According to sources with knowledge of United’s planning, who remain anonymous because they are not authorised to speak publicly, the club’s preparations for Greenwood’s return also included an assessment of the expected sentiment of external figures, listing individual football pundits, journalists and politicians and stating whether they would be for or against Greenwood’s reintegration. The planning divided these people into categories to the effect of “supportive”, “open-minded” or “hostile”. The club’s document listed a series of domestic abuse charities assumed to be “hostile”.

The Athletic’s story on Wednesday that United chief executive Richard Arnold held a meeting with the club’s executive leadership in the first week of August, in which he informed them United were planning to bring back Greenwood, has caused unrest inside and outside the club, with supporters voicing their opinions in letters and on social media, and intense staff meetings.

Greenwood, 21, has not played for United since he was arrested in January 2022 after a recording and images were released on social media of an alleged sexual attack.

Charges against Greenwood for attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, all of which he denied, were dropped in February of this year. The UK’s Crown Prosecution Service said: “A combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.” After the criminal case ended, United stated on February 2 the club would “conduct its own process before determining next steps”.

Earlier this week, United said in a statement that “the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries”. United’s process was led by Arnold, assisted by the club’s legal counsel Patrick Stewart, communications chief Ellie Norman, football director John Murtough and the chief operating officer, Collette Roche.

The internal process has not consulted any charities specialised in supporting women in cases where alleged domestic or sexual abuse has occurred.

A scheduled announcement for Friday, August 4 regarding Greenwood’s future was delayed. United had planned to engage with key stakeholders such as sponsors, the fan advisory board and the women’s team in the two days leading up to August 4. It was also at this stage that United’s planning had given consideration to the possibility of briefing charities to support women who report sexual abuse on the explanations behind their proposed…