Mason Greenwood tightens security at house after bail
Mason Greenwood has beefed up security at his £14,000-a-month Cheshire mansion after he was released on bail on Wednesday.
The Manchester United forward, who was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault, threats to kill and assault, was freed from custody yesterday following three nights in the cells.
Greenwood, 20, has brought in two private security guards to patrol the rented house, and an expert arrived at the property yesterday to install a home CCTV system capable of recording from up to eight cameras.
Greater Manchester Police issued a statement saying: ‘A 20-year-old man arrested on Sunday on suspicion of the rape and assault of a woman has been released on bail pending further investigation.’
The club have yet to comment on the latest developments, having suspended Greenwood on Sunday, saying he would not play for them or take part in training until further notice.
United return from the winter break tomorrow night when they host Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round, with interim boss Ralf Rangnick set to face the media today for the first time since Greenwood’s arrest.
Rangnick is understood to have held crisis talks with football director John Murtough at the club’s Carrington training base on Monday morning to discuss Greenwood’s situation and the impact it could have on the team for the rest of the season.
Read: AFCON 2021: Senegal down, Burkina Faso to qualify to Sunday’s final
Team-mates and staff are said to be ‘shocked and appalled’ by the disturbing images and audio clip that surfaced on social media over the weekend prior to his arrest.
‘Everyone is very shaken up,’ said a source. ‘This is very different from the normal things they have to deal with.’
The England international was originally held on suspicion of raping and attacking an 18-year-old student, and grilled by detectives who were granted additional time to speak to him.
While in custody, he was re-arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill his alleged victim.
Greenwood, who continues to be paid £75,000 a week, is understood to have brought in legal assistance independently of United.
References to Greenwood, an academy product originally from Bradford, have disappeared from United’s online shop and also from the FIFA 22 video game.
His sponsorship deal with Nike has been suspended by the US company, and one of United’s official partners, Cadbury, say they will not use him in any marketing products ‘while these allegations are being investigated’.
Yesterday, the club’s official logistics partner DHL issued a statement, saying: ‘We are aware of the recent allegations against Mason Greenwood.
‘While we do not tolerate any kind of violence, we will not be commenting on the situation while the investigation is ongoing.
‘Our partnership with Manchester United encompasses the team, the club and the global brand, and not one specific individual.’
