Manchester United will reportedly make a final decision on Mason Greenwood's future before beginning their 2023-24 Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Red Devils concluded their pre-season tour of the United States with a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday evening, and they will now face Lens and Athletic Bilbao in friendlies this weekend before returning to competitive action at home to Wolves on August 14.
There has not yet been a final call from the club on Greenwood, who is able to resume his football career after seeing all criminal charges facing him dropped at the start of February.
However, according to BBC Sport, there will be a decision before August 14, with the 20-time English champions close to concluding their investigation into the events that led to his arrest in January 2022.
Greenwood has been pictured training alone in recent weeks, but he has not been present at the Carrington complex since the early stages of last year, while his last appearance for the Red Devils was against West Ham United at Old Trafford on January 22, 2022.
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At this stage, it is thought to be extremely unlikely that the forward will have his contract terminated, while a permanent move away from Man United this summer is also not expected to occur.
Greenwood is being strongly linked with a loan exit, though, and there is thought to be interest from the likes of Juventus, AC Milan and Roma in his services.
A recent report claimed that Adidas - Man United's main sponsor - had given the green light for the England international to return to the field, although that has since been denied.
Greenwood was initially arrested on suspicion of rape and assault, and he was then further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill.
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The forward was also facing charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but the charges have now all been dropped.
During the team's pre-season tour of the United States, Man United head coach Erik ten Hag said that it would be up to the club to make a final decision on Greenwood, but he had offered his opinion on the situation.
Ten Hag was again asked about the Englishman during a recent Q&A, as quoted by ESPN, but the Dutchman refused to offer any further thoughts on the situation.
"I said everything in New York [when I said it was a club decision]. I don't want to answer the question anymore because it's not different. I've shared my opinion and I don't want to repeat my opinion," he said.
The forward, who has another two years left to run on his deal at Old Trafford, has represented Man United on 129 occasions in all competitions, scoring 35 goals and registering 12 assists in the process.
Matt Law
