How Manchester United conducted their Mason Greenwood investigation

Manchester United and Mason Greenwood's mutual decision for him to leave the club brings an end to a turbulent 19 months.

Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in October 2022 after allegations emerged in January 2022. The charges were dropped on February 2.

Images and an audio recording were published on Instagram by the alleged victim in the early hours of Sunday January 30 2022.

It is understood Greenwood cooperated fully with Greater Manchester Police by providing passwords for his devices so the police could examine them. He has always denied all allegations.

Read more: Richard Arnold's open letter to fans on Mason Greenwood

United were provided with explanations for the materials posted online and were satisfied that Greenwood did not physically abuse the alleged victim.

United believe they did not have grounds to terminate Greenwood's contract and, as a duty of care to an academy product who joined the club at the age of seven, intend to assist him and identify a new club. Greenwood's partner gave birth to their firstborn daughter last month.

Club sources insist that had their internal investigation into Greenwood, which started in February, concluded that he had committed the alleged offences they would not have hesitated to terminate his contract.

United sources say they placed the welfare and perspective of the alleged victim central to their inquiries. The alleged victim withdrew her allegations and support from the police's investigation in April 2022. The police spent a year investigating the allegations and worked with the Crown Prosecution Service to build a case.

Following the withdrawal of key witnesses and the emergence