EXCLUSIVE: Man United hold talks with their women’s team over their handling of Mason Greenwood after players considered speaking out

Manchester United football director John Murtough held summit talks with the women’s team on Tuesday to explain the club’s position on Mason Greenwood.

United confirmed on Monday that Greenwood is to leave Old Trafford after the club concluded its review into the striker.

The 21-year-old was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of a number of offences including attempted rape but the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently dropped the charges in February of this year after key witnesses withdrew and new material came to light.

The episode has created tensions between the women’s players and the club’s hierarchy.

Members of Marc Skinner’s squad have been criticised on social media amid a narrative that they didn’t want Greenwood to stay given the evidence that has come to light in the public domain.

Manchester United’s football director held talks with the women’s team over the Greenwood situation

Murtough (right) briefed the squad just 24 hours after their Greenwood announcement

Members of Marc Skinner’s (centre) squad had been criticised amid a narrative that they didn’t want Greenwood to stay at the club

Mail Sport understands that in the event of United sticking by Greenwood, a clutch of the women’s squad were giving serious consideration to publicly criticising the club.

But yesterday, Murtough briefed the squad just 24 hours after their announcement to sever ties with Greenwood.

During the summit talks, which were pre-arranged, Murtough outlined the processes of the internal investigation and the reasons behind their final decision.

The meeting is believed to have ended positively with the players – who were given prior warning of the club’s decision before it was made public – accepting Murtough’s explanation.

United’s World Cup players Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Katie Zelem didn’t attend the meeting following their heartbreaking final defeat against Spain on Sunday.