Mason Greenwood’s name has appeared on the Manchester United website, in a potential squad list for this Premier League season.
The English International’s name was included despite the striker being suspended by the club as a result of a police investigation.
The English club confirmed their finalised 25-man squad list for the 2022/23 Premier League season on Wednesday morning.
The list sees all of Erik ten Hag’s new signings this summer included in the squad, including big-money winger Antony and defender Lisandro Martinez.
There are also spots for youngsters Nathan Bishop and Brandon Williams, while Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho – who regularly feature in the first-team squad – are not on the actual squad list, they are still eligible to be selected this season, as they are under 21 years of age.
Greenwood was included in the club’s list of Under-21 players eligible to feature in the league this season.
The 20-year-old has been placed on leave with pay since January 2022, after being arrested in late January for alleged rape, assault and a threat to kill.
Greenwood’s ex girlfriend, Harriet Robson, shared numerous pieces of evidence against the young footballer on her Instagram page in January of this year, which have since been shared widely across all social medias.
He remains on bail as Greater Manchester Police continue their investigation.
According to the Mirror UK, his inclusion in the squad does not signal any change in his circumstances.
Greenwood made his senior debut for United in March 2019 and he has made a total of 129 appearances for the club, scoring 35 goals.
He last played for the club on January 22, in a Premier League game against West Ham.
While he is not included in the 25-man squad outright, his name appearing in the list at all means that the club have not ruled out some sort of a return at some point in the near future.
Greenwood is one of many youngsters to appear on the list, and while it may be a part of his contract that he be included in any potential squad, it does pose a number of questions about what the club’s stance on the player is.
The inclusion of Mason Greenwood in the squad for the 2022-23 Premier League campaign has generated mixed reactions.
While some club fans are astonished by the inclusion, others are excited to see he made the list.
A tweep, olaiturn said, “Greenwood Makes Man United’s EPL Squad, Fans React
Nana wrote, “I just hope Mason Greenwood has been doing his personal training at home. Can’t wait to have him back.”
@cmwinterburn: “Mason Greenwood included in the documentation because he’s still technically a footballing employee of Manchester United. Under 21 and English so doesn’t need to be registered so not included on the squad list per se“
@kartikmathur: “I still don’t think it’s good luck for the club to be registering someone accused (and likely guilty) of rape and domestic violence just because he fits the criteria. This is where you’d want to make an exception and delete a name off the list.”
@collebmwine: “Like i said Benjamin Mendy was innocently jailed. Of course we need to wait for other charges but the picture is now cleared at the moment. This will pass and also Mason Greenwood will be free very soon.”
Official_Nonso: “I’m not a rape apologist, neither will ever support any sought of violence against women, until he gets his fair hearing & the verdict of a judge to prove his innocence or guilt, I stand with Mason Greenwood. 🤝”
@NorrisSZN: “United are scum for putting mason greenwood in their 25 man squad”