Manchester United have endured some challenging weeks in their recent history, but the past seven days feel up there with any of them.
It started with a resolution, of sorts, to the Mason Greenwood affair, but using statements that only invited more scrutiny on the club’s leadership, lurched to a damaging 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, and then got worse when Mason Mount and Luke Shaw suffered muscle injuries, ruling them out for several weeks.
There was no indication of any new signings and no money recouped from sales. Throw in a 3-0 training-ground loss to Burnley at Carrington and a bid for their England women’s international goalkeeper Mary Earps and it added up to a week to forget for the club.
This is the story of that week.
Monday
The Greenwood decision
Greenwood had been subject to internal investigation by United since February when charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control against him were dropped by the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service.
After months of speculation, at 3pm on Monday afternoon, United announced that Greenwood would leave the club and continue his career away from Old Trafford.
“All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United,” a club statement read. “It has…
