Rachel Riley says she’ll stop supporting Manchester United if Mason Greenwood returns

TV presenter Rachel Riley insists she will put an end to her years of support for Manchester United if the club allow Mason Greenwood to return.

The 21-year-old striker has been suspended from the club since January 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman, after images and videos were posted online.

Following this, Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling coercive behaviour. 

The charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in February this year, but Greenwood remained suspended while Manchester United launched their own internal investigation.

Reports emerged earlier this week in The Athletic, suggesting Greenwood could be returning to the squad.

This came after United released a statement this week expressing concern for him as an ‘employee’, ‘as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven’, and ‘as a new father with a partner’.

However, the club have not yet confirmed their final decision on Greenwood’s future there.

United have said ‘a thorough investigation’ into the allegations made against Greenwood had been conducted and it is now in the ‘final stages’ of coming to a decision.

It said in a statement: “This has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain, and we have heard from numerous people with direct involvement or knowledge of the case.

“Throughout this process, the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim has been central to the club’s inquiries, and we respect her right to lifelong anonymity.

“We also have responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner.

“The fact-finding phase of our investigation is now complete, and we are in the final stages of making a decision on Mason’s future.”

Lifelong United supporter Riley has now vowed to quit supporting the Reds if it is decided Greenwood can stay at the club.

“I won’t be able to support United if Greenwood remains at the club,” Riley said in a statement on social media.

“We’ve all seen and heard enough. Pretending this is OK would be a huge part of the problem.”

She added: “It would be devastating for my club to contribute to a culture that brushes this under the carpet. I really hope they do the right thing.”

Riley is not the only female fan to speak out against a potential return of Greenwood to the squad.

Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return emerged on Twitter campaigning against the striker ever being allowed to play for the club again.

The group put out a statement to say if Greenwood is reintegrated it ‘tells us, as women, that we don’t matter’.

A group of football fans also held a protest outside Old Trafford on Monday night ahead of the Red’s Premier League game against Wolves.