Broadcaster and lifelong Manchester United supporter Rachel Riley has said she’ll stop supporting the club if Mason Greenwood returns to the squad.
Greenwood, 21, has been suspended by the club since he was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of attempting to rape and sexually assault a woman. He was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour in October 2022 before all charges were dropped in February of this year.
United said they were conducting their own investigation into the matter, with an announcement over their decision expected in early August before the new Premier League season got underway. That date was delayed, but an investigation by The Athletic concluded club CEO Richard Arnold had told senior staff at Old Trafford Greenwood was poised to return.
That revelation has caused a ripple among fans, with many criticising the alleged decision as harmful given the club’s major standing and influence. Riley replied to a video of a United fan named Em suggesting she’ll ‘walk away from the club’ if Greenwood is welcomed back, saying she too would stop supporting them in that event.
READ MORE: Man Utd ‘told senior staff Mason Greenwood will return’ as fresh statement drops
“I’m with Em, I won’t be able to support United if Greenwood remains at the club,” the Countdown personality and mathematician wrote on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter.
“As an example, when it comes to VAWG [violence against women and girls], less than 1% of rapes reported to police lead to conviction. We’ve all seen and heard enough. Pretending this is ok would be a huge part of the problem.”
Riley – who has presented end-of-season awards ceremonies at United – added her own experience of seeing a friend ‘try to leave an abusive partner’ and the ‘huge effect this has on victims lives.’
She continued: “It would be devastating for my club to contribute to a culture that brushes this under the carpet and send a message to perpetrators everywhere that you can continue to act as you wish with no consequences. I really hope they do the right thing.
Despite The Athletic’s investigation, United have since released a statement saying the club remains undecided on its player’s future. Greenwood had been heralded as a generational talent after emerging from the club’s academy and became United’s youngest ever scorer in European competition after netting in the Europa League at age 17.
Many fans agreed with Riley and said they too would stop supporting United if Greenwood does come back into Erik ten Hag’s squad.
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