Mason Greenwood: The Background Story of How Embattled Manchester United Star Once Mocked Cristiano Ronaldo

• Mason Greenwood remains suspended by Manchester United despite the withdrawal of his charges
• Greenwood's time at the club's academy has been documented as one that was punctuated by brutal words
• One such occurrence was surprisingly targeted at Manchester United's legend Cristiano Ronaldo

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.

Arsenal ace reportedly unwilling to return to Emirates from loan spell in France

Football

The club had promised to provide a way forward. Given that Greenwood is still contracted to the club until 2025, the club is expected to give directions on whether he will be allowed back into the fold, a matter that has reportedly been objected to by some people internally.

Discipline record

Even as the club grapples with that predicament, the Atheltic has unearthed a background story of how Greenwood's situation unravelled before his tribulations. The publication reports that the striker had discipline issues from the word go, with senior figures at the club trying to straighten him out.

His national team tribulations (with Phil Foden) and a number of conspicuous absences under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have been cited as examples of his behaviour. But more interestingly are his strong words which again, depending on who you ask, can be deemed as inappropriate, arrogant or overly confident depending on how you look at it.

Ronaldo set to break unique world record ahead of Portugal's clash vs Liechtenstein

Football

Greenwood's comment on Ronaldo

One such comment was when he referred to club legend Cristiano Ronaldo as 'dead.' Dead, in football terms, is a player who's already past his good days, a finished player. At that time, Ronaldo was nearing the end of his highly impressive career at Real Madrid.

Ronaldo averaged 50 goals every season for the 9 seasons he was in Spain and on paper, that's an extremely astronomical return for any striker. However, Greenwood's sentiments show that he might have been of a different opinion.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner later rejoined Manchester United, where he played with Greenwood for a while before his arrest and subsequent suspension.

Wedding bells for Greenwood

Sports Brief earlier reported that Greenwood is reportedly set to tie the knot with his pregnant partner weeks after being cleared of assault charges.

Greenwood is currently waiting for directions from Manchester United, with the striker keen on getting back to his professional career after more than a year out.

The striker has relayed his wedding plans to his family members. The publication further reports that the couple was spotted at the fancy Langham Hotel in central London