Erik ten Hag and John Murtough’s reaction to Mason Greenwood return as chief executive’s reintegration plan revealed

A detailed report on the situation of Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has emerged following an official statement from the club.

The 21-year-old has been suspended from the club since January 2022 after photos and videos alleging he had domestically abused his partner surfaced on social media.

Although he was arrested and a case built against him by the Crown Prosecution Service, this case was ultimately dropped due to key witnesses not stepping forwards.

Following on from that, United have undergone an investigation looking into the situation, and United have explained that they are in the ‘final stages’ of a decision in their most recent statement.

Read More: Manchester United’s full statement on the Mason Greenwood situation

The Athletic have explained that Manchester United’s chief executive Richard Arnold had told the club’s executive leadership in the first week of August that United were planning to bring back Mason Greenwood.

Arnold had planned to record a video to explain the decision, which would be sent to club staff as well as members of the public, as part of the plan, with a proposed announcement date being the 4th of August.

It was added that Greenwood would not make any appearances with the Manchester United Foundation, in the short to medium term, even though he would be re-joining the first-team set-up.

However, there is yet to be a final decision announced and the club stated that there is not one made currently. “Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer,” the club explained in their statement.

Part of the delay could be down to recent reports that state the club want to display the findings of their investigation to key stakeholders. The Women’s team would be part of that but some remain at the Women’s World Cup – in which England players Ella Toone, Mary Earps and captain Katie Zelem have reached the final. Once a final decision is publicly communicated, Arnold’s plan could be brought to the fore.

The aforementioned report would go onto add that they have repeatedly been told that the club’s football operations department, including John Murtough and Erik ten Hag, are supportive of Greenwood’s reintegration.

Ten Hag has been careful in his public responses when discussing the future of the English player.

“It’s a club decision,” Ten Hag said. “Of course I have said my ideas and opinions but it’s a club decision. We all have to accept that.”

Asked if he wants Greenwood to stay, he said: “I can’t say so much about it. But what I say is I shared my opinion about it so let’s see what’s going to happen and what the decision will be.”