MANCHESTER United legend Gary Neville has condemned the club for its “horrible” handling of the Mason Greenwood saga.
The Sky Sports pundit and ex-Red Devils captain tonight said Greenwood‘s newly-announced exit exposed leadership failures at the Old Trafford club.
PAGary Neville has accused his old club Manchester United of failing to be ‘strong’[/caption]
Mason Greenwood’s United exit is finally the ‘right decision’, Neville saysGetty
Former England international Neville said it was the “right decision” to announce this afternoon Greenwood would be leaving United.
But he told Monday Night Football on Sky Sports tonight the six-month process ahead of the announcement was “pretty horrible”.
And he accused club chiefs of failing to be “strong and authoritative”.
His intervention came after the BBC‘s Match Of The Day host and ex-Three Lions skipper Gary Lineker broke his silence on the news.
Lineker posted on X, formerly named Twitter, how he felt United’s move was the “inevitable and right” end to an “untenable situation”.
United today announced they had come to a “collaborative decision” with the 21-year-old forward that he would be moving on.
But the club did not say whether his £75,000-a-week contract would be terminated or whether he would be put on loan or sold.
Greenwood hasn’t played for the first team since being arrested in January last year for attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
All charges against him were dropped in February but the footballer remained suspended by United.
Members of Manchester United Women‘s team reportedly raised concerns about Greenwood returning to the training ground.
Women’s charities have welcomed today’s decision and told of survivors’ “relief” but say more must be done by football clubs.
The move was also tonight praised by Channel 4‘s Countdown co-host and Strictly Come Dancing star Rachel Riley, who said last week she would stop supporting United if they allowed Greenwood back.
UNITED ‘LACK STRONG LEADERSHIP’
And when asked this evening about the development ahead of the Premier League derby between Crystal Palace and Arsenal, Neville criticised United officials for their handling of the situation.
He said: “Yes, they have made the right decision and finally got there – however, the process of getting there has been pretty horrible.
“When you have significant situations and difficult situations like this, you need strong and authoritative leadership and Manchester United don’t have that.”
He also called for an “independent review” in similar situations of alleged violence against women.
Neville added: “It should not be that Manchester United are the judge and jury on a significant situation – not only for themselves, but also for the game.
“People talk about the representation of Manchester United, but it’s the Premier League as well.
“My view is on issues of this importance and severity, they should be dealt with independently because it’s clear that Manchester United have not had the skill and ability to deal with this situation.
“It’s been well above their experience and ability.”
Greenwood’s last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham United, which United won 1-0.
He was charged in October last year and was due to stand trial in November this year.
But prosecutors withdrew the case on February 2 after his alleged victim and a dozen more witnesses refused to co-operate.
United said today they had taken into account the “wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club’s standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible”.
The club added: “Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material alleged did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged
“That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.
“All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.”
GREENWOOD ACCEPTS HE ‘MADE MISTAKES’
Greenwood also released a statement insisting he had not done what he was accused of but was “learning to understand” his “responsibilities as a professional footballer”.
He added: “I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me and I know people will think the worst.
“I was brought up to know that violence or abuse is wrong.
“I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.
“However, I fully accept I made mistakes.”
He added: “I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch.”
Bradford-born Greenwood has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for United, having joined the club as a six-year-old.
He was given his England debut by manager Gareth Southgate as a late substitute against Iceland in September 2020, though has not played for the country since.
GettyUnited’s handling of the case prompted Old Trafford protests last week[/caption]