Man United fans to protest against Greenwood's first team return

A demonstration against Mason Greenwood's reintegration into the first team is reportedly being planned by some Manchester United fans before their first game of the season.

Following allegations of suspected rape and abuse, Greenwood was detained in January 2022 and suspended with pay by United.

The Crown Prosecution Service, however, declared in February of this year that the charges had been dismissed as a result of 'important witnesses' ceasing to participate.

The England international has been training personally for the past couple of months and reports suggest that he could return to the Man United team this new season.

However, some United fans are against the club allowing Greenwood to return to the first team and are planning a protest against it.

Man United fans tells club to make right decision

Man United supporters have asked the club to make the right decision to avoid a protest on their first game of the season.

The protestors, who are all regular United fans and wish to stay anonymous for the time being, are ready to vent their anger prior to Monday's match at Old Trafford versus Wolves according to the Athletic as reported by Daily Mail.

According to the reports, the protesters prepared a banner in United colours with the message, “Female Fans Demand No Greenwood Return - End Violence Against Women.”

One of the organisers gave an explanation of the protest's motivation, stating, “It’s time for the club to stand up and make the right decision.

“It’s time to say, "We have high standards at United about how we expect players to conduct themselves and, if you do not meet those standards, you need to be moved out."

Prior to Monday's game, the protesters intend to gather at the Holy Trinity statue outside of Old Trafford, and they are hoping for a large turnout.

Fans statement against Greenwoods return

Daily Mail also reported that a Twitter account has been created and a statement has been issued, expressing their opposition to Greenwood ever playing for the team once more.

The statement read, “Today, we female fans of Manchester United are demanding that the club abide by their duty of care towards their female fans and employees and demonstrate a zero tolerance approach towards acts of violence against women by refusing to bring Mason Greenwood back into the squad.

“The situation is clear - taking Greenwood back legitimises and normalises sexual assault and domestic abuse. 

“It tells other players and the men and boys that look up to them, that abusing women is acceptable, without consequence, and won't affect you or derail your career.

“It also tells us, as women, that we don't matter. It tells female MUFC employees that their employer is happy to make them work alongside an abuser and tells hundreds of thousands of female fans that supporting the team we love involves supporting men who abuse women like us.

“It tells us that our safety doesn't matter, our experiences don't matter; that the 1 in 4 women who experience domestic abuse and/or sexual assault in the UK don't matter. 

“It tells us that men who make the club money matter; not us, our fellow fans, mothers, sisters or daughters.

“The club has launched all sorts of initiatives in recent years to allegedly promote inclusivity and diversity at the match, but "All Red All Equal" means nothing if the rights of those who have perpetrated gender-based violence are more equal than those who have lived through it. 

“We know there are currently multi-million pound PR firms spinning narratives to go along with his potential return. 

"Repentant father who has turned his life around and just wants to support his partner and child." "Young genius who made a mistake but deserves a second chance."

Fans statement speaks of Greenwood threat on his partner

The statement also mentioned Greenwood, threatening his partner and also talked about the incident not being a mistake but a deliberate act.

The statement continued, “Threatening your partner with sexual violence isn't "a mistake", it's deliberate, targeted abuse. 

“The lockdown parties and police warnings were apparently "a mistake", getting dropped by England and sent home from camp for breaking the rules was also apparently "a mistake. 

“The problem here isn't a player who has "made a mistake", it's a player who has consistently demonstrated an attitude of extreme arrogance, entitlement and exceptionalism; and who has shown nothing but disregard and contempt for what it means to represent this great club. 

“Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone does so while in the position of power and privilege Greenwood is. 

“If you want to play at the highest level at the biggest club in the world, your behaviour will be held up to the highest level of scrutiny, accountability and expectation.

“The decision of senior management at MUFC regarding Greenwood's return will tell us fans everything we need to know about their ability to run this club, and about whether they have any genuine willingness to listen to, engage with, and support fans on issues that matter to us.

“Is this club for them just a vehicle for commercial success, trophies, sponsorships and revenue? Or do they genuinely share our vision of Manchester United as a great institution that exists as a place of belonging and community for those who care about its values and traditions?

“We are calling on the club to do the right thing. For their fans, for their employees, for the millions of young boys and girls across the world who look up to our players as heroes and role models, and for the millions of women whose lives have been blighted by violence and abuse. 

“To the decision makers at the club, remember; this goes beyond football. This decision is a reflection of you, your morals; of who you are as individuals, and as humans.

“Will you stand with abusers, or with the abused? History will judge your choices. Make sure you choose well.”