Manchester United paid Mason Greenwood's full wages for 18 months of suspension

On 30 January 2022, after images and videos were posted online, Greater Manchester Police arrested a man in his 20s in connection with allegations about Mason Greenwood, and Manchester United announced the striker 'will not return to training or play matches until further notice'. Eight days later Nike ended its sponsorship with a two-sentence statement: 'Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike athlete.'

Charges followed in October 2022. On 2 February 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the proceedings, saying key witnesses had withdrawn their involvement and new material had emerged, so there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. United's suspension had by then run for more than a year, with the player on full pay throughout.

On 21 August 2023, after a six-month internal investigation, United announced he would leave the club by mutual agreement. The club said the material posted online 'did not provide a full picture', that he had not committed the offences for which he was originally charged, and that it had been agreed he would resume his career away from Old Trafford. His contract ran to 2025. On 1 September Getafe signed him on a season-long loan, paying a small part of his wages while United paid the remainder.