Mason Greenwood will NOT play first game in England for three years

Disgraced footballer Mason Greenwood will not play his first game in England in 30 months amid fears of a hostile reception from fans, it has been reported.

The former Manchester United star, 22, was set to line up with new club Marseille as the French side entertain Sunderland at Bradford City's Valley Parade this afternoon.

It would have been Greenwood's first appearance in the country since he was arrested in January 2022 on allegations of attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour.

All the charges were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service after key witnesses withdrew.

The forward, who was born and raised Bradford, did not travel to England with his new club after being omitted from the squad.

French news outlet La Provence reports Greenwood has suffered a 'muscle lesion', which the club fears will aggravate if he features against the Black Cats.

But it is understood that there are concerns from club officials over Greenwood's 'complicated return' to England.

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Greenwood joined Marseille from Manchester United last month - 908 days after his most recent appearance for the club, which he represented 129 times, scoring 35 goals.

He did not play again for the club after a series of harrowing images and voice recordings were shared online.

He spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Spanish side Getafe - where he was regularly taunted by opposition fans - but voted as the La Liga's side's Player of the Season.

That helped convince new Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi to pay United £27million plus £3.2m in potential add-ons to sign Greenwood.

The signing went ahead despite vocal opposition from a significant section of the club's fanbase.

Marseille supporters launched a #GreenwoodNotWelcome campaign, insisting the signing of the United exile could do 'irreversible damage' to their values.

The city's mayor Benoit Payan also publicly opposed the move, describing the allegations against Greenwood as 'unspeakable and unacceptable'.

He told RMC Sport: 'The values of OM and Marseille are anything but [Greenwood's] in fact. It's a shame. I will ask Pablo Longoria not to recruit Greenwood. I don't want my club to be covered with shame.'

'Olympique de Marseille is more than a club. It is a spirit.'

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Greenwood, who has continually denied any wrongdoing, said in a statement upon leaving Manchester United last August: 'I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and I know people will think the worst.

'I was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.

'However, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.'

Bradford is Greenwood's home town. He was born and raised in the Yorkshire city before moving to Manchester after joining United's academy.

After concluding a probe into the allegations, Manchester United said at the time: 'The club 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.'