Greenwood protest staged at Wolves match as pressure piled on Man Utd chiefs

Some Manchester United supporters were seen protesting against Mason Greenwood being reintegrated back into the squad for this season. It was recently ruled that all members of the club’s women’s team would be consulted about the decision prior to an announcement on the academy graduate being made.

Greenwood has been suspended by United since January 2022 when he was arrested on charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Those charges were then dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February.

However, the 21-year-old still has not returned to the first team as United have ruled that they will conduct their own internal investigation into the forward, with numerous different departments involved in the decision-making. An announcement on Greenwood’s future was expected before the start of the 2023/24 season, but it has since been delayed as several members of the women’s team are away at the World Cup and have not been consulted.

Some United supporters have therefore seized the chance to voice their opinions on the England international, with several signs being held up as fans approached Old Trafford prior to their match against Wolves

One poster read: “Don’t leave the decision up to the women’s team, you spineless, motherless f***s.” Whilst others opted to chant their views in the run-up to United’s opening game of the season.

A group of female United fans, who have named themselves ‘Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return’, went public with declaring that they would protest on Monday night. In a statement, they said: “It tells us that men who make the club money matter; not us, our fellow fans, mothers, sisters or daughters. The problem here isn’t a player who has ‘made a mistake’,” the statement read.

“It’s a player who has shown nothing but disregard and contempt for what it means to represent this great club. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone does so while in the position of power and privilege Greenwood is. If you want to play at the highest level at the biggest club in the world, your behaviour will be held up to the highest level of scrutiny, accountability and expectation.”

Erik ten Hag has consistently attempted to disconnect himself from the decision regarding Greenwood, insisting that he was not in a position to have his say on the matter and that he will leave it up to the higher powers at Old Trafford to act how they believe is necessary. However, the ex-Ajax boss may be hoping to receive a decision prior to the transfer window concluding so he can work out if he needs to sign another striker or not.