Storm as Man United Retain Mason Greenwood While Man City Release Benjamin Mendy

• Mason Greenwood has been named among Manchester United's retained players
• The striker's sexual assault charges were dropped, but he is yet to return to professional football
• Benjamin Mendy has meanwhile been released by Manchester City as he continues to battle a case of his own

Manchester United, alongside all other Premier League clubs, released their lists for their retained and released players ahead of the upcoming season.

Mason Greenwood was included in the retained list, causing an uproar on social media. The striker was retained despite still being suspended by the club.

Greenwood hasn't played competitive football for more than 15 months following the sexual assault and coercive behaviour charges that were levelled against him. He was arrested and arraigned in court, but his charges were later dropped.

The Red Devils promised to conduct their own internal investigation before he could be allowed to return to football. The club is yet to reveal whether or not they have completed their investigation.

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The 21-year-old is under contract until 2025. United's decision to retain him could possibly mean they are still trying to figure out how to handle the situation.

Benjamin Mendy's case

Benjamin Mendy wasn't as lucky as the full-back was officially released by Manchester City. As Daily Mail reports, the club is yet to make a statement, but the Frenchman's name appeared on the list of released players.

Mendy was similarly suspended after he was accused of forcing himself on a 24-year-old in October 2020. He was arrested a month later and his case has been ongoing since.

Other cases followed, including that of a 17-year-old woman. However, Mendy has since been cleared of seven charges but is set to face retrial starting on June 26. The former AS Monaco man was at City for six years.

Fans on social media could not wrap their minds around the different handling of both cases, with many slamming United for retaining Greenwood.

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Background story to Greenwood's issues

Sports Brief has previously reported that Mason Greenwood's downward spiral has to be one of the most heartbreaking stories of modern-day football, depending on who you ask.

The striker was on an inspiring ascendancy in his Manchester United career when he got entangled in assault charges that saw him arrested and prosecuted before the charges were eventually dropped.

To the eyes of many others, the videos and pictures that went online believed to be from the assault incident tainted Greenwood's image. He might be free from court proceedings, but the court of public opinion is yet to move and therein lies United's greatest challenge.