11 August 2023 , 10:22
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A group of Manchester United fans are set to protest against Mason Greenwood 's potential return to the first-team squad at the opening game of the season.
The Red Devils host Wolves in the first Monday Night Football of the new Premier League campaign. And a group of female United fans, who have branded themselves 'Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return' (FFAGR) have pledged to protest against Greenwood.
The striker has been suspended by the club since January 2022 after he was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Those charges were withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service earlier this year.
United launched their own internal investigation, with chief executive Richard Arnold set to make the final call on if Greenwood will be brought back into the first-team group. That decision is expected imminently, but the FFAGR have threatened to protest if he is allowed back.
The group have demanded the club take a "zero tolerance" approach with their decision on Greenwood's return. And they claimed that bringing Greenwood back would tell the club's female fans that they "don't matter".
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"It tells us that men who make the club money matter; not us, our fellow fans, mothers, sisters or daughters. The problem here isn't a player who has 'made a mistake'," the statement read.
Manchester United's decision on Mason Greenwood is imminent (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)"It's a player who has shown nothing but disregard and contempt for what it means to represent this great club. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone does so while in the position of power and privilege Greenwood is.
"If you want to play at the highest level at the biggest club in the world, your behaviour will be held up to the highest level of scrutiny, accountability and expectation."
FFAGR also insisted that the decision by senior management will show "everything" fans need to know about their ability to run the club. They called on club bosses to listen to their concerns about Greenwood's return.
"The decision of senior management regarding Greenwood's return will tell us fans everything we need to know about their ability to run this club, and about whether they have any genuine willingness to listen to, engage with, and support fans on issues that matter to us," they added.
"Is this club for them just a vehicle for commercial success, trophies, sponsorships and revenue? Or do they genuinely share our vision of Manchester United as a great institution that exists as a place of belonging and community for those who care about its values and traditions?
"We are calling on the club to do the right thing. For their fans, for their employees, for the millions of young boys and girls across the world who look up to our players as heroes and role models, and the millions of women whose lives have been blighted by violence and abuse.
"To the decision makers at the club, remember; this goes beyond football. This decision is a reflection of you, your morals; of who you are as individuals, and as humans. History will judge your choices. Make sure you choose well."