Gogglebox and Manchester United star hits out at Mason Greenwood as he’s axed by the club
GOGGLEBOX star Shaun Malone has spoken out against footballer Mason Greenwood and said he is “buzzing” to hear he has been axed from Manchester United.
The 21-year-old forward will not be returning to Old Trafford following a club investigation into his behaviour after his January 2022 arrest.
TV personality Shaun – who behind the Gogglebox cameras is a sports coach – is delighted by the news.
Having worked for Manchester United’s Under-16s Ability Counts football team, Shaun has said the though of the club bringing him back has been plaguing him “for weeks”.
Speaking on Instagram after the news broke, Shaun said: “I don’t want to sound brutal, but I’m absolutely buzzing with this news that Greenwood’s been released from United.
“Not going to lie, for weeks now I’ve been thinking that they’ll bring him back and would not have been happy with that at all.
“Glad to see him gone.”
It is not clear if Shaun has ever worked directly with Greenwood. The Sun Online has contacted him for comment.
Shaun’s comments come after the club confirmed in a statement that they had finished the probe into Greenwood.
But they did not reveal what the striker’s future holds – including whether his £75,000-a-week contract will be terminated or if he will be put on loan or sold.
Greenwood’s fate had remained uncertain after he was suspended by Utd in the wake of his charge for attempted rape, assault and coercive control – even after the case was dropped.
The club said they had 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”.
Utd confirmed they examined evidence that was “not in the public domain”, including “from those with direct knowledge of the case”.
The club added: “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 also released a statement where he insisted he had not done what he was accused of but was “learning to understand my responsibilities as a professional footballer”.
He added: “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 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, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.
“Today’s decision has been part of a collaborative process between Manchester United, my family and me.
“The best decision for us all, is for me to continue my football career away from Old Trafford, where my presence will not be a distraction for the club.
“I thank the club for their support since I joined aged seven. There will always be a part of me which is United. I am enormously grateful to my family and all my loved ones for their support, and it is now for me to repay the trust those around me have shown.
“I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch.”
Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold has also written an open letter to fans saying he wanted to be “direct and transparent” about the reasons for today’s decision.
The chief said he felt “shock and concern” for the alleged victim when the allegations first emerged.
