Manchester United have now released a statement regarding Mason Greenwood's future at the club.
The Red Devils' internal investigation on the player is thought to be drawing to an end, with many around the club reportedly getting frustrated that the issue has not yet been resolved.
Read: De Gea 'approached' by European giants after Man Utd exit
The 21-year-old has not played professional football since he was arrested in January 2022 on charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but while the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case against him in February this year, United's internal probe has now been ongoing for six months.
The much-awaited final decision on Greenwood's future has created a lot of suspense, and a number of the club's fans staged a protest at Old Trafford on Monday, ahead of the side's first Premier League game of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the group opposed to the striker's potential return to the playing squad.
There have since been reports suggesting that United are close to reinstating the player into their first team.
The club has now released a statement on the matter.
"Following the dropping of all charges against Mason Greenwood in February 2023, Manchester United has conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations made against him," the statement form the club's official website read.
"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.
"Contrary to media speculation, that decision has not yet been made and is currently the subject of intensive internal deliberation. Responsibility ultimately rests with the Chief Executive Officer.
"Once made, the decision will be communicated and explained to the club's internal and external stakeholders.
"This has been a difficult case for everyone associated with Manchester United, and we understand the strong opinions it has provoked based on the partial evidence in the public domain. We ask for patience as we work through the final stages of this carefully considered process."
Executives at the club had earlier on Wednesday provided an update on the situation, with chief operating officer Collette Roche telling The Athletic: "We've done a really detailed and thorough internal investigation, and we've asked as many people as we can around what happened and try to understand it beyond the original investigation done by the police.
"You'd expect us to engage with people who were relevant in terms of stakeholder groups. And now, we just need to make the decision.
"That decision is firmly a decision that's on us."
Rick McGagh, head of fan engagement at the club, added: "It's not accurate to say we've had full consultation with the fan advisory board on what decision we're making.
"This is not a consultation."
Read: 'They intentionally undermined Pitso because he is a black coach'
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: