Manchester United have a duty of care to female fans and players over Mason Greenwood decision

It is a sad state of modern society that the four women behind the Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return group have had to conceal their identities.

Users were unable to reply to the group's opening statements on social media as, sensibly, they saw the pile-on coming before they had curated the posts. But their direct messages were left open and it is overflowing with vitriol.

The group have been threatened with violence if they unfurl their banner at Old Trafford ahead of the Wolves match on Monday evening. One advised they "go back to the kitchen", another messaged, "f--k off we don't need a female fan you're not worthy", another dogmatically declared "we don't want ur gender in our club". One, ironically a 'mental health advocate', suggested "you shouldn't even be anywhere near the club".

What is certain is those women had the courage to stand outside Old Trafford, in between the statue of Sir Matt Busby and the Trinity statue of Best, Law and Charlton, and unfurl a banner that read 'END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN'. Their opinion matters.

Also read: United delay announcing decision on Greenwood's future

The four women have commendably stuck their heads above the parapet over a complex decision that Manchester United are delaying. It was United who reiterated they would communicate their decision on Greenwood's future before the start of the season. The word "imminently" was uttered by a senior figure as recently as a fortnight ago during the pre-season tour of the United States.

But now there has been a delay. Most of us sense what the outcome will be and United are strategising over how sensitively to communicate it.

The wait has been inordinate and the pile-on has started. One coward, their identity concealed behind