Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney has some stern advice for suspended forward Mason Greenwood after he was not included in the team's pre-season touring squad.
The 21-year-old remains sidelined from all club activities as a decision on his future in the team is yet to be confirmed after he was arrested on charges of rape, attempted rape and coercive behaviour in January 2022.
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While those charges were dropped earlier this year, United are in a unique predicament as allowing the player to return to the playing squad could result in significant outrage and potentially upset their commercial partners and women's team.
There are other alternatives being considered, such as selling the player, loaning him out, or terminating his contract, but it remains to be seen what decision CEO Richard Arnold and the owners take on the matter, although this is expected before the 2023/24 campaign gets underway.
With Greenwood having now been left out of the Red Devils pre-season tour of the United States, club legend Rooney has insisted that the English striker should leave Old Trafford and continue his career elsewhere.
"It leaves Mason Greenwood in a position where he is stuck," the DC United boss told The Athletic.
"So for Mason, it's a bad position to be in because I'm sure he just wants to play football.
"But for the club, its image and ensuring they make the right decisions, it's almost a catch 22.
"I think the best thing for Mason now is to get out of the club and go and develop somewhere else. He needs to get back playing because it has been a long time.
"With everything that has happened and how long the internal investigation has taken, it's probably got to a place now where Mason just needs to go and play, and to try and get his career back on track.
"It's a difficult position for Mason but for the club as well. You have to make sure you get to the right decision before moving forward, and it looks like they're really struggling to get to that place."
According to reports, United recently offered Greenwood to Italian side Atalanta as part of a swap deal of sorts for their striker Rasmus Hojlund.
However, the Serie A outfit is said to have refused that proposal as they want straight cash for their Danish sensation.
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It is believed Greenwood has other clubs in Italy who are interested in his signature, while Turkey has also been mooted as a potential next destination should he decide to leave Manchester.
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