Erik ten Hag is reportedly open to welcoming Mason Greenwood back into the Manchester United squad.
Greenwood, 21, hasn't featured for United since January of last year. That was before he was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
This February, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the charges against Greenwood had been dropped after key witnesses withdrew their involvement and "new material came to light". The forward remained suspended by United, though, who made it clear that they'd begin a comprehensive internal review before making a decision on his long-term future.
Mirror Football understands that Greenwood's fate could ultimately rest with stakeholders - including the Red Devils' women's team and commercial partners. Now, a report from the Sun says that Ten Hag would be 'happy' to bring the 21-year-old into his squad ahead of next season.
United's owners, the Glazer family, will ultimately make the final decision and are expected to do so within the next week, the report adds. It's also alleged that some members of the club's women's team want Greenwood gone, although some of his ex-team-mates would like to see him return.
His reintegration would likely prompt a huge wave of backlash against United, with the club hierarchy concerned over how Greenwood representing them again could affect sponsorships and commercial deals. The Bradford-born player has a contract which runs until June 2025 and it's been suggested that the Red Devils could look to loan him out next season to a foreign side.
Ten Hag has remained tight-lipped on Greenwood's situation, saying that the decision isn't up to him. When the academy graduate's charges were dropped, the United manager was asked if he could shed any light on the club's internal review. "No. Nothing," Ten Hag replied. "I can't add nothing, I refer to the statement of the club."
The Red Devils are said to have had contact with three Italian teams, namely Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan regarding a possible loan move. Greenwood - who first joined United at the age of six - would continue to earn his £75,000-a-week salary, having signed a four-year deal with the club in February 2021.
It was less than a year later when the England international, who's made one appearance for his country, was first arrested after a woman made allegations of physical and sexual abuse on social media which prompted United to immediately suspend him. Greenwood was then charged last October and was due to stand trial this coming November.
But the CPS - who don't decide whether or not a person is guilty or innocent, but make independent assessment about whether charges are sufficiently strong for the criminal court to consider - announced that the charges had been dropped in February. "We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review," they added in a statement.
