MANCHESTER UNITED have until September 2024 to make a decision on Mason Greenwood’s future.
United released seven players today but retained Greenwood, who has not played for the club since January 2022.
AFPManchester United released seven players today but retained Mason Greenwood[/caption]
And because the forward is still an Under-21 player, United could include him in their squad at any time in the next 14 months without having to register him.
Had he been over that age, the club would have needed to decide before the end of the transfer window whether to include him in the senior squad or sideline him for at least another five months when it opens again in January.
Premier League clubs must submit a 25-man squad after each transfer window closes.
It can contain no more than 17 players who do not fulfil ‘home grown player’ criteria.
The remainder of the squad must be home grown – a player who has been registered with a club for three seasons before turning 21.
U21 players do not need to be registered in a Premier League squad.
It comes as Women’s Aid said the Premier League should do more to fight domestic violence in light of Greenwood’s suspension.
Greenwood, who was born on October 1, 2001, was suspended by United after being charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges on February 2 after key witnesses withdrew their involvement in the case.
He remains suspended pending an internal probe at Manchester United but is still a contracted player.
The investigation revolves around whether he brought the club into disrepute and was in breach of his contract.
Greenwood, who is expecting a child with his partner, has spent 19 weeks waiting for a decision on the probe.
SunSport exclusively revealed Juventus want to offer Greenwood a fresh start in Italy.
He has also been linked with a loan move to Turkey or Spain.
Greenwood has two years left on his £75,000-a-week Old Trafford deal.