Manchester Utd star Mason Greenwood, 21, is rebailed and faces trial in a year's time over attempted rape charges

21 November 2022, 07:36 | Updated: 21 November 2022, 11:53

By Fran Way

@journofran

Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood has appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court to face accusations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.

The 21-year-old forward, who has been capped once for England, was re-bailed until a hearing on February 10 next year.

His trial date was set for November 27, 2023, with the case expected to last 10 days.

All three charges relate to the same woman, who has automatic anonymity.

Greenwood was wearing a dark suit and a hoodie when he walked into court this morning, supported by family members.

The footballer removed the hoodie when he appeared in the dock to confirm his name and age for the brief five-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea after the CPS requested further time.

The footballer was first arrested in January after pictures and videos of alleged abuse were shared on social media.

Within hours of the allegations being put online, Greenwood was suspended from playing or training at the Old Trafford club and Nike suspended and later terminated its sponsorship deal.

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Electronic Arts also confirmed its removal of him from any active squads on the Fifa 22 game and fans with a Greenwood football jersey were also offered swaps and exchanges.

The coercive and controlling behaviour charges relates to incidents between November 2018 and October this year where Greenwood is said to have threatened the victim and monitored her social media accounts.

The charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is dated December 2021.