BREAKING: Manchester United announce Mason Greenwood will not return to the club

Mason Greenwood. Courtesy photo.

Manchester United have announced, in a statement, that Mason Greenwood will not play for the club again, after an internal investigation into his now-dropped charges. 

The club recently concluded investigations into Greenwood’s charges of attempted rape and coercion that were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February this year, and a decision over his future has now been made.  

According to the statement published on manutd.com and shared on the club’s social media pages, Manchester United put into consideration the wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim, along with the club’s standards, and mutually agree that it would be better for Greenwood to recommence his career away from Old Trafford. 

Here is the full statement: 

“Manchester United has concluded its internal investigation into the allegations made against Mason Greenwood. 

“Our process commenced in February 2023, following all charges against Mason being dropped. Throughout, we have taken into account the wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club’s standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible. This has required us to proceed with sensitivity and care to obtain evidence not in the public domain, including from those with direct knowledge of the case. 
 
“Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged. That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for. 
 
“All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United. It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.” 

Greenwood, who last played for Manchester United in January 2022, is now a free agent.  

Manchester United delay decision over Mason Greenwood’s future

 

Mason Greenwood. Photo by Sky Sports. 

It looks like Mason Greenwood will not be playing for Manchester United anytime soon. According to The Athletic, Manchester United have delayed announcing a decision over the 21-year-old's future at the club and it is now possible there will be no resolution to his situation until the September international break. 

Greenwood has been under internal investigation by Manchester United since February when the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the attempted rape, assault and coercive control charges.  

This was after key witnesses withdrew their cooperation from the investigation, including Greenwood’s girlfriend. Greenwood denied all of the alleged offences. 

A couple of months ago, Manchester United said it would make the decision on whether Greenwood would be allowed to return to the squad or not, before the start of this Premier League season.  

However, sources close to the club say that the club wants to explain the findings of their internal investigation to key stakeholders like their women’s team and the fan advisory board. 

It has also been reported that this will be done to collect feedback but their opinions will not used to decide what happens to the player. There have been calls online from a section of fans for the club to allow Greenwood to return to playing football, while others have protested it.  

Manchester United start this season’s campaign tonight against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Soccer Scoop understands that a group of fans are planning to protest against the prospect of him being reintegrated into the squad. 

Greenwood last played for Manchester United the club in January 2022, against West Ham United. 

Done Deal: Chelsea confirm the signing of Moises Caicedo for a record fee of £115m

Moises Caicedo. Photo by Chelsea.com

Chelsea have completed the signing of midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion for a record transfer fee of £115 million. Caicedo is now the most expensive player in Premier League history.  

Caicedo has agreed to sign an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the option of a further year. Prior to this, Liverpool had agreed to a £110 million deal with Brighton on Friday last week, but that move did not progress since Caicedo preferred Chelsea.  

The West London club went back in for the 21-year-old, who they previously saw multiple bids rejected for earlier in the transfer window and have finally got their man. The biggest winner in this transfer is Brighton, as the club only paid £4 million for the Ecuadorian transfer in February 2021. 

Chelsea have pursued Caicedo all summer after seeing Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all leave the club, and the player had long accepted personal terms with the Blues. 

Chelsea's offer has seen them pay more up front than Liverpool with the add-ons expected to be very achievable. 

On completing his move to Chelsea, Caicedo said: “I am so happy to join Chelsea! I am so excited to be here at this big club and I didn’t have to think twice when Chelsea called me, I just knew I wanted to sign for the club. It’s a dream come true to be here and I can’t wait to get started with the team.” 

Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley said: “Moises has proved himself as a standout player in European football over the past 18 months, and we are thrilled to add him to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.  

“Moises possesses a rare midfield skill set and is a player we've been targeting for some time. We believe he will make a significant impact at Stamford Bridge this season – and in the years ahead.” 

Caicedo is now the third most expensive player in football behind Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe.  

Uruguay beat Italy in final minutes to win their first U20 World Cup

Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 in the Under-20 World Cup final in Argentina at the Diego Maradona Stadium to win this competition for the first time in their history.

Before this triumph, Uruguay had lost two finals in this competition; 2-1 in 1997 to Argentina and 4-1 on penalties to France in 2013.

Uruguay’s goal was scored by 19-year-old Luciano Rodriguez in the 86^th minute, a headed goal from close range. The win means Uruguay are the first nation outside Europe to win the FIFA U20 World Cup since 2011 when Brazil won it in Colombia.

Rodriguez, who plays for Liverpool Montevideo in Uruguay, was emotional after the match and called the victory a dream.

“This is crazy, crazy, crazy and we deserve it. We are living a dream,” Rodriguez said, as quoted by The Athletic.

Italy were beaten on the final but they didn’t come out empty handed. Apart from the runners-up medal, their striker Cesare Casadei won the golden boot after outscoring everyone at the tournament with seven goals.

The FIFA U20 World Cup was introduced in 1977 and Aregentina have won it the most times with six, while Brazil come second with five titles. Ghana is the only African nation to win this competition. The beat Brazil 4-3 on penalties in 2009.

The tournament has featured and produced numerous players that have gone to become big stars namely; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Sergio Aguero among others.

Man United planning to swoop three English players: Kane, Mount, and Rice

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. Courtesy photo.

The Red Devils have come short in certain areas this season and it has affected them, especially in the league, so much so that they had to wait until the last two matches of the season to confirm whether they’ll finish in the top four or not.

After Manchester United confirmed Champions League qualification, all focus is now turned to strengthening their squad for next season as soon as the summer transfer window opens in July.

The club is looking to reinforce their attack and midfield and the players to do that are Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, Chelsea’s Mason Mount and West Ham captain Declan Rice.

According to reports, Harry Kane’s exit from Tottenham is closer than ever as he searches for silverware elsewhere. Kane, who is turning 30 in July this year has scored more than 270 goals for Tottenham in all competitions but has no silverware to show for it.

It is widely believed that he would love to leave the club after this season and Manchester United would welcome him with open arms. There were reports of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid showing interest in the England captain but since he hinted at wanting to break Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goals record, Manchester United become favourites.

Manchester United will battle with Arsenal and to some extent Liverpool for Mason Mount’s signature should he leave Chelsea in the summer. Mount has been at Chelsea since he was seven but it is becoming increasingly imminent that he could leave at the end of the season.

Talks over a new contract have stalled for months as the player feels he deserves a pay rise, more than what Chelsea are proposing. Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing him but reports suggest that the player is currently leaning towards Manchester United. Chelsea’s valuation of Mount is £70 million. 

As with Mount, Manchester United will also battle hard with especially Arsenal to sign Declan Rice. Arsenal have been heavily linked with Rice in the past few months and are even ready to break their transfer record for him.

We understand that West Ham are ready to let him go and value him upwards of £120 million. If Arsenal fails to match that valuation, then Manchester United could win him over. 

Serie A roundup: AC Milan lose and drop out of top 4 as Juventus go second

Juventus players celebrating one of the goals. Courtesy photo.

Matchday 35 of the Italian Serie A saw some shocking results as clubs try to finish the league on a high. Napoli, who are already confirmed winners of this season’s league lost 2-0 to Monza and this helped Monza move to ninth on the table.

Juventus beat Cremonese 2-0 at home in Turin to go second on the table and move closer to qualifying for Champions League football but the win came at a cost after losing Paul Pogba to injury in what was his first start in over a year. Cremonese stayed 19^th and are on the verge of relegation.

AC Milan shockingly lost 2-0 to another relegation-fighting side Spezia, a result that saw the Rosoneri drop out of the top four. AC Milan have a Champions League tie to turn around this week against rivals Inter Milan and this is one way to qualify for next season’s Champions League if they win it, and fail to finish in the top four.

AS Roma drew with Bologna and have now gone five matches without a win. This result moved Jose Mourinho’s men further away from Champions League places, as they now sit in 6^th place on the table with six points behind fourth-placed Lazio. Lazio played out to a 2-all draw against Lecce.

Here are the full results:

Lazio 2-2 Lecce

Salernitana 1-0 Atalanta

Spezia 2-0 AC Milan

Inter Milan 4-2 Sassuolo

Verona 0-1 Torino

Monza 2-0 Napoli

Fiorentina 2-0 Udinese

Bologna 0-0 AS Roma

Juventus 2-0 Cremonese

Sampdoria will host Empoli tonight to wrap up the matchday.

Chelsea 2-2 Nottingham Forest: Sterling and Taiwo score a brace for either team to share the points

 

Taiwo Awoniyi celebrating one the goals. Courtesy photo.

Chelsea and Nottingham Forest played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, as both teams had something to fight for in the Premier League. Forest, who are battling to avoid relegation, took a surprise lead in the first half through Taiwo Awoniyi's header in the 13^th minute.

Forest’s Orel Mangala dispossessed Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and the ball quickly got to Renan Lodi who floated a cross into the Chelsea box where Awoniyi beat the onrushing Edouard Mendy to the ball and headed into the empty net.

Going a goal down woke up Chelsea who became more offensive and created several chances but Trevor Chalobah, Kovacic, and Rahim Sterling saw their either blocked by Nottingham Forest defenders or saved by goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

In the second half, Chelsea, who are looking to end a disappointing season on a high equalized in the second half with Raheem Sterling's tap-in from Trevoh Chalobah's cross in the 51^st minute.

The Englishman then put the hosts ahead with a stunning curler from the edge of the box seven minutes later. Half-time substitute Loftus-Cheek won possession on the halfway line with a brilliant tackle, before surging through the middle and feeding Sterling who cut inside and sent a curling shot that Navas.

However, Forest refused to give up and levelled four minutes later with another header from Awoniyi, who pounced on a long throw-in. After this equalizer, both sides had chances to win it but neither could find the decisive goal.

Chelsea remain in the bottom half of the table 11^th and Nottingham remain 16^th, three points from safety with two matches to go.