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Manchester United have made the correct decision by parting ways with Mason Greenwood. Manchester United's hierarchy, however, should not come out of this situation positively and as any sort of 'winners', even having made the right choice.
The internal investigation that has been ongoing since charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped, with a final decision made by CEO, Richard Arnold, has finally concluded. But less than a week ago, The Athletic reported a leaked plan to reintegrate Greenwood earlier this month.
The backlash was considerable upon the news creditably broken by Adam Crafton, aside from a vocal minority slamming those against Greenwood's return. But justifiably, it was the voices of those vocalising their dismay at the club's planned decision that were heard.
Somehow, it seems the club didn't expect the backlash that caused them to make a U-turn, and while they were absolutely correct to backtrack, they cannot be allowed to get away with the fact they initially planned to bring Greenwood back. A major reason he isn't returning is because of the retaliation from supporters - not because of his actions.
The manner in which United have dealt with the situation is more evidence of spineless leadership and errant decision-making processes. It is the fans that have 'won' here - not the club that planned on reintegrating a player they could justify parting ways with.
Through United's statement, confirming that Greenwood would not play for the club again, there is hypocrisy. There is lots of saving face evident, with the club doing everything they can to avoid explicitly outlining and admitting to Greenwood being guilty.
How can you say he didn't commit the actions that led to the charges but then outright admit to the mistakes he made in the videos and recordings shown in public by the victim?
There almost seem to have been attempts to gaslight fans into believing Greenwood hasn't committed the 'mistakes' that it is admitted that he has committed. This, however, isn't a situation where you can be sugarcoating things in this way; he either did what the videos and recordings showed or didn't, and the evidence was stark and in the public eye.
While the backlash forced United's hand, they wouldn't get rid of the player without knowing that he did what he did, as implied by the admission that he made a mistake, which Greenwood reciprocated in his own statement. There is plenty enough to suggest Greenwood shouldn't be reintegrated, contrary to what some have suggested.
Now what?
Well, there has been no exact suggestion of Greenwood's contract being terminated. Really, though, that has to be the only option given the club's stance should be to prioritise morals over everything, but tendencies through this situation suggest this won't necessarily be the case.
Morals have to take prominence over money, in essence through United not selling Greenwood for profit or loaning him to raise his value. It simply isn't correct for United to benefit financially from someone that has done something worthy of being dropped from the club after committing an alleged crime.
He should be released without a quibble.
It has never mattered that some regarded him as a generational talent. It is not right to prioritise football over morals, either.
But the club have been so out of touch throughout this situation. Just look at reports from The Athletic that the club even labelled domestic abuse charities as a possibly hostile entity if Greenwood was to return.
To even try to bring Greenwood back was inhumane, as is if they try to gain a fee for him.
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United's roots lie as a community club. Their charitable foundation, the Manchester United Foundation, is a big part of the club. It was terribly thought-out from the club's hierarchy to initially allow Greenwood back, which would have granted him the platform as a role model.
Players should be inspirations. Then you have to ask: what was inspiring about the evidence that emerged upon Greenwood first being suspended by the club? Is this someone you really want as a hero and a figurehead, which every Manchester United player serves as?
It spoke to an abhorrent lack of values that the club were prepared to give Greenwood this sort of status. It suggested that people could commit that sort of deed and get away with it. What does that say to potential victims out there?
It beggared belief that some suggested the public evidence could have been faked; if that was the case, a whole different set of legal proceedings could be ensuing. Even if more emerged during the club's investigation, the evidence from last year still exists. And it is frankly haunting.
Through all of this, it has been essential to reaffirm that the dropping of charges don't have to equate to innocence; Greenwood is technically innocent until proven guilty, but the sights and audio we have been exposed to will never sit right.
There have been some astoundingly ignorant claims from some, such as "it's not like you're perfect" and "you've done worse" whenever people have gone against Greenwood's return. Others have said it's "just a mistake" and "everyone makes them".
But this isn't just an ordinary mistake. This isn't a mere imperfection or minor inconvenience. This isn't cancel culture taking force. This is a mistake in the form of an essential crime.
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There was a concerning sense of entitlement from Greenwood before this case even came to light. He broke lockdown rules during England duty and fell out of favour with Gareth Southgate as a result, while reports have suggested lateness was an issue.
It would have put fans in a very uncomfortable position if he did return, with a vast amount of match-going fans not in support of his reintegration, and some suggesting it would impact their support of the team as a whole. What would have happened if he scored? How do you explain a muted or hostile reception to young children?
The division in the fanbase was already unhealthy, and that toxicity would only have grown and spiralled further.
And while fans would have come in for abuse for Greenwood being at their club, the players would also have been hurled into an awkward situation. It would hardly have done wonders for morale if some had questions about Greenwood's actions.
The fact that the club felt the need to earmark possible hostile pundits and organisations, as suggested by The Athletic, spoke to anticipation of justifiable negativity and skepticism. It has been a horrible, divisive subject, and backlash was inevitable. How could you not foresee that being a big issue?
It emphasises how substandard the decision-making process was that they seemingly didn't even consider the implications much of what they agreed could have. A previous brief even invited abuse and threats towards the women's team, who the club had clumsily suggested had a big role in the decision.
It seems the plan of a return was very inadequately considered, and a misguided train of thought could have risked severely hampering Erik ten Hag's project and even caused staff and even players to resign. It could have massively damaged club's image through showing the club as standing for certain things that shouldn't be stood for.
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It was more than justifiable that people were vocal about the impending decision, ultimately leading to the club's U-turn. There is a lack of clarity and nothing can be said with complete certainty, but it was important to show solidarity with the victim, in part to ensure other people that may have suffered don't feel isolated or fearful.
As with much of the case, there is no known answer to whether Harriet Robson has forgiven Greenwood or not, but the victim staying in a relationship with their abuser doesn't always suggest things are amicable.
As was raised by Melissa Reddy on Twitter, there were charges in in just 1.9 per cent of 67,169 rape cases in 2022. It takes seven attempts on average before a woman finally leaves an abusive partner, and the risk of serious assault and death is highest for a woman after she leaves.
This sort of unsettling case is not something we want to have to deal with when covering football, but the lack of empathy in many quarters has been preposterous. The club discreditably failed to even mention the fight against domestic violence against women in their statement.
Staying quiet sometimes isn't the answer. Here, United fans have used their voice for a great cause. However, they shouldn't have to be using their voices as frequently as they are having to, such is some of the disarray at the club.
No matter whether they made the correct decision in the end, the need for a U-turn means the club do not come out of this predicament well at all. It is a disgusting situation that we can now move on from at last. But the club have a lot to answer for.
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