A group of female Manchester United fans are demanding that the club do not reintegrate Mason Greenwood into the squad, saying that taking the striker back "legitimises and normalises sexual assault and domestic abuse".
The group, Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return, have said that taking the striker back would indicate that "women don't matter" and they are planning to stage a protest outside Old Trafford before United's first Premier League match of the season against Wolves on Monday.
Greenwood has been suspended by United since January 2022, when he was arrested in relation to audio and images released on social media of an alleged sexual attack. In October 2022 the striker was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Greenwood denied all the charges.
All charges against him were subsequently dropped in February by the Crown Prosecution Service. A statement said "a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction".
United then began its own investigation into Greenwood. A decision on whether the forward will be sacked, sold, sent out on loan or reintegrated into the squad is expected over the weekend. Members of United's women's team have expressed their unease about the prospect of him returning to the squad.
Greenwood, who became a father in July, has been working with a personal trainer to get back to fitness and was spotted training in a park in Manchester earlier this week. United are reportedly receiving data on his fitness levels and although there is a chance he could be reintegrated for the new season, he hasn't yet been given a squad number.
Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return has made it clear they would not accept such a decision.
"Today, we female fans of Manchester United are demanding that the club to 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," read their statement.
"The situation is clear - taking Greenwood back legitimises and normalises sexual assault and domestic abuse. It tells other players, and the men and boys that look up to them, that abusing women is acceptable, without consequence, and won't affect you or derail your career.
"It also tells us, as women, that we don't matter. It tells female MUFC employees that their employer is happy to make them work alongside an abuser, and tells hundreds of thousands of female fans that supporting the team we love involves supporting men who abuse women like us.
"It tells us that our safety doesn't matter, our experiences don't matter; that the 1 in 4 women who experience domestic abuse and/or sexual assault in the UK don't matter. It tells us that men who make the club money matter; not us, our fellow fans, mothers, sisters or daughters.
"The club has launched all sorts of initiatives in recent years to allegedly promote inclusivity and diversity at the match, but "All Red All Equal" means nothing if the rights of those who have perpetrated gender-based violence are more equal than those who have lived through it.
"We know there are currently multi million pound PR firms spinning narratives to go along with his potential return. 'Repentant father who has turned his life around and just wants to support his partner and child.' 'Young genius who made a mistake but deserves a second chance.'
"Threatening your partner with sexual violence isn't 'a mistake', it's deliberate, targeted abuse. The lockdown parties and police warnings were apparently 'a mistake', getting dropped by England and sent home from camp for breaking the rules was also apparently 'a mistake'.
"The problem here isn't a player who has 'made a mistake', it's a player who has consistently demonstrated an attitude of extreme arrogance, entitlement and exceptionalism; and who has shown nothing but disregard and contempt for what it means to represent this great club.
"Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone does so while in the position of power and privilege Greenwood is. If you want to play at the highest level at the biggest club in the world, your behaviour will be held up to the highest level of scrutiny, accountability and expectation.
"The decision of senior management at MUFC regarding Greenwood's return will tell us fans everything we need to know about their ability to run this club, and about whether they have any genuine willingness to listen to, engage with, and support fans on issues that matter to us.
"Is this club for them just a vehicle for commercial success, trophies, sponsorships and revenue? Or do they genuinely share our vision of Manchester United as a great institution that exists as a place of belonging and community for those who care about its values and traditions?
"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."