Mason Greenwood's brutal Cristiano Ronaldo criticism left Man Utd officials irritated

Mason Greenwood and Cristiano Ronaldo became Manchester United teammates in the 2021/22 campaign after the United youth team graduate had criticised the superstar

Mason Greenwood was told to tone down his language by Manchester United officials after he made stinging criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo – who was still at Real Madrid at the time, it has been claimed.

The two players would later become teammates at Old Trafford, though Ronaldo has since moved on while Greenwood is still suspended by United. Greenwood will not be returning to United's Carrington training ground or featuring in fixtures until the club have conducted their own investigation after all criminal charges against him were dropped following his initial arrest in January last year.

United’s first-team squad are believed to be split over Greenwood's possible return to the club after the player was cleared of all criminal charges against him – including attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm – dropped in February by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The CPS confirmed the charges had been dropped due to "the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light". A report in The Athletic has now detailed how Greenwood’s rise through Old Trafford’s youth ranks was viewed by the club.

It is detailed how the forward was openly critical of future teammate Ronaldo. Greenwood is reported to have openly said “he’s dead” when referencing Ronaldo’s perceived decline in playing status. This led to United chiefs instructing him to tone down his language – in a comment they believed showed a lack of maturity from the then-teenager.