Charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault against Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood were dropped in early February

Mason Greenwood has been in contact with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for the first time since the charges against him were dropped in early February, it has been claimed.

The forward, 21, had been due to stand trial in November but Greater Manchester Police announced last week that the Crown Prosecution Service had dropped charges of rape, assault and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour. The CPS 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”.

Greenwood remains unable for selection by United, who are conducting an internal investigation into the player’s conduct, with no timescale placed on how long this could take. Ten Hag refused to comment on the England international last week, but The Sun claims the pair held a phone call a matter of days after the charges were dropped.

The reported phone call marked the first time the Dutchman had spoken to Greenwood since he took over as Red Devils manager last summer. All contact between the club and the player took place through a third party following his arrest in January 2022.

A source told The Sun: “Mason has spent a long time with very little – if any – contact from the club. As and when they were in touch, it was never direct and always through a third party. So for the manager to call him was a big step for him and one he really appreciated.

“The manager enquired how he was feeling physically and mentally and said he was pleased the charges had been dropped. He thought it was the right thing to do to get in touch with Mason. But he was clear it will be the club rather than him which will decide if Mason can play for United again.”

Mirror Football approached Manchester United, who refused to comment on the story. The source claims Greenwood would like to “get his career back on track”, having not played competitive football in over one year.

Regarding the reported phone call with Ten Hag, the source added: “Mason’s spirits were lifted by it. He has been at United since he was six and just wants to get back to playing football for them. He is happiest with a ball at his feet and wants to get his career back on track. But he knows the club has a massive decision to make.”

Greenwood remains under contract at Old Trafford until the summer of 2025. He has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for United having made his senior debut in the Champions League in March 2019, and won a single England cap in 2020.

SOURCE: mirror.co.uk