Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has made some subtle changes to his Instagram page that could provide a clue to his plans going forwards.
The forward has avoided a trial after seeing charges against him including attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm dropped. The CPS confirmed that the charges had been dropped due to “the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light”.
Speaking after the decision, the 21-year-old forward said: “I am relieved this matter is now over. I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support.”
Questions then immediately turned to Greenwood’s future in the game having been suspended by United since the allegations first came to light. A statement from the Red Devils read: “ Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped.
“The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”
It remains to be seen what comes of that process but it appears that he has dropped hints regarding his future on Instagram. The young forward has added Manchester United and Nike back into his bio. However Nike have confirmed to Mirror Football that they have ended their partnership. A statement read: "Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike athlete.”
Greenwood has also deleted a vast array of posts from his profile with only nine posts remaining - all of those showing him in action for the Red Devils since he made his debut for the club during the 2018/19 campaign. He has gone on to make 129 appearances for United in the time since, scoring 35 goals.
His last appearance for the Old Trafford outfit came during the 2021/22 season in a slender 1-0 victory over West Ham United. Whilst Greenwood might well be hoping to return to the fold under Erik ten Hag, there appears to be some opposition from inside the Old Trafford dressing room.
United players are reportedly open to the striker returning at some point in the future but they are wary of any potential distraction as the side attempt to continue the excellent form under Ten Hag following his arrival from Ajax last summer. Meanwhile, Red Devils’ staff are also split regarding Greenwood’s potential return.
It has been claimed by The Guardian some staff members are hugely against the striker being reincorporated, but there are others who believe that United have a duty of care for a player who has been with the club since the age of seven. It is also suggested that the Old Trafford outfit have also reached out to as many as 25 global partners to ascertain their feelings on whether Greenwood should return.
Meanwhile, the forward has already put thought into his next move should a United reunion not be on the cards. It has claimed that he would be willing to make the move over to China as long as he was being paid well and was playing regularly.
