Manchester United player Mason Greenwood remained in police custody on Monday. (AP) Manchester United have dropped all Mason Greenwood merchandise from their online store after the club’s star forward was arrested on rape and assault charges on Sunday. Greenwood remains in custody and police have been granted more time to question him.
The majority of Greenwood’s team-mates, too, have unfollowed him on social media after United indefinitely suspended the 20-year-old on Sunday. The club reportedly has also decided not to provide any legal help to the player, with the latter arranging personal representation. A search for Greenwood’s merchandise on the club’s official website returned a message: “Sorry, your search Greenwood did not match any products.”
On Monday, The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed through a statement that detectives have been granted additional time for questioning. “Detectives have been granted additional time to speak to a man in his 20s who is being held on suspicion of rape and assault of a woman,” said the statement.
Police have been granted more time to question Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood who was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault. pic.twitter.com/Y9AL5CFOg4
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 31, 2022
It added: “The suspect was arrested yesterday (Sunday 30 January) afternoon and remains in custody. Enquiries are ongoing and the victim is being offered specialist support.
“We remind people to avoid any commentary or sharing of images that could compromise the victim’s right to lifelong anonymity, or risk prejudicing a live investigation with active proceedings.”
The arrest follows a post on Instagram, capturing pictures and videos of a young woman with several cuts and bruises and blood gushing out from a wound. The woman also shared an audio clip in which a man was heard threatening a woman for refusing to have sex with him.
Nike statement: "We have suspended our relationship with Mason Greenwood. We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation." #mulive
— utdreport (@utdreport) January 31, 2022
The posts have since been taken down.
United had initially said they did “not condone violence of any kind” but a second statement confirmed the player’s suspension, which said: “Mason Greenwood will not return to training or play matches until further notice.”
Greenwood is on a £75,000-a-week wage and The Sun reported, quoting a source, that he would receive his salary while on suspension. But sportswear giant Nike have suspended their relationship with the footballer, via a statement to the BBC that said: “We have suspended our relationship with Mason Greenwood. We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Greenwood joined United at six years of age, rose through the ranks and became the youngest player for the club to play a Champions League fixture at the age 17, against PSG in 2019. So far, in 129 appearances for United, he has scored 35 goals. The 2019-20 season was when he rose to stardom, scoring 16 goals in all competitions. In the ongoing season, the wide-man, who can also play as a No. 9, has netted six times.
In between, Greenwood played for England under Gareth Southgate, but was axed from the side, after he and Phil Foden sneaked girls into the team hotel in Iceland while on national team duty. Greenwood had issued an apology, promising to learn from his mistakes.
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