Greenwood's exit and the failure by football to tackle sexual violence.

Manchester United's troubling approach to serious player issues raises deep concerns over whether clubs can be trusted to act as judge and jury over serious allegations involving their talent.

The decision by Manchester United to not bring Mason Greenwood back to the club puts an end to a six-month investigation into the player’s conduct, however serious questions remain over Utd’s handling of the situation and whether football clubs are best placed to handle such serious issues.

The 21-year-old’s exit was announced on Monday as being ‘mutually agreed’ in statements released by the club and Greenwood following fierce public backlash at a proposed return of the forward to the first-team squad.

Greenwood was suspended by United in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material that was published online after which he was arrested and later charged for attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. Those charges were subsequently dropped in February after the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued their case against the player after key witnesses withdrew their cooperation from the investigation.

Like a slow grinding wheel since, the club conducted a ‘fa…