FURIOUS Manchester United fans have slammed a decision to include Mason Greenwood in the eFootball video game.
The striker, 21, was included in the United squad in a popular game developed by Japanese animation firm Konami.
Twitter/ManUnitedZone_Greenwood has been included in the Man United squad in the eFootball game[/caption]
GettyGreenwood pictured during a United training session in June 2020[/caption]
Konami, an official partner of the club, named Greenwood within the game despite him having not played since January last year.
Greenwood was suspended from playing for the club after being arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
He was charged with the offences in October, before the criminal probe was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February.
However, United fans have reacted with disdain to his inclusion within the computer game.
Taking to social media, one supporter said: “Take him out of the club.”
Another wrote: “That’s low from them”.
A third said: “I thought they’d at the minimum be too scared about the PR disaster but clearly not.”
A fourth added: “This might be the end of me watching football.”
Another tweeted: “Deleting my eFootball account what a terrible game.”
However, some fans backed the decision and gave their support to his return.
One supporter wrote: “Our boy is coming back!”
A second said: “Can’t wait to have him back in real life.”
It comes as United fans are set to protest tonight’s Premier League opener against Wolves at Old Trafford.
One group, called Female Fans Against Mason Greenwood’s Return, issued a full statement on the matter earlier this week
The recently founded group wrote: “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.
“Will you stand with abusers, or with the abused? History will judge your choices. Make sure you choose well.”
They concluded by saying: “We female fans of Man United are demanding that the club abide by their duty of care towards their female fans and employees and demonstrate a zero tolerance approach towards acts of violence against women by refusing to bring Mason Greenwood back into the squad.”
Meanwhile, United have ruled out making a decision on Greenwood’s future until a “set date”.
Greenwood has been the subject of an internal probe since the charges were dropped.
Man United had intended to provide an update on his future prior to the start of the season.
But the Old Trafford club is now not expected to announce a decision until the September international break.
A fan group is set to protest during tonight’s match