REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Former Manchester United defender Clayton Blackmore has issued a public apology after sparking a backlash with comments about Mason Greenwood. The 25-year-old scored for Fenerbahce against Liverpool this week.
The Turkish giants beat their English opposition 3-2 in the Champions League, with Greenwood deflected equaliser levelling the scores after Trey Nyoni had opened the scoring. Alexander Isak then put Liverpool ahead in the 69th minute, but goals from Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi saw Fenerbahce come away with all three points.
Greenwood joined the Istanbul-based club this summer, having spent the past two seasons in France with Marseille. He came through the Man Utd academy but left in 2024, two years after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.
Clayton Blackmore Urged Man Utd Return For Mason Greenwood
Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood in action
Despite the circumstances around Greenwood's move away from the Premier League, former Wales and Man Utd defender Blackmore seemed desperate for the English winger to make a return to Old Trafford. He wrote on social media:
"Well done Mason Greenwood [for] beating Liverpool. Come home to us please."
The comments drew a lot of attention on social media as Blackmore – who played 241 times for the Red Devils, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 1990s – was widely criticised for his post. The 62-year-old then wrote a follow-up message, stating:
"Sorry I've offended anyone but I heard he had been cleared of any wrongdoing I apologise to everyone I've upset with my comments like I said I thought he had been cleared of everything and he’s had a baby with his girlfriend. Big sorry."
Perhaps Blackmore was confused by Greenwood, who claimed he had been 'cleared of all charges' in 2023. This wasn't quite the case. Rather, the charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service when witnesses withdrew their involvement and new material came to light.
Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match as Portugal are eliminated from the 2026 World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match as Portugal are eliminated from the 2026 World Cup
Greenwood's Arrest Which Led To Man Utd Exit
Mason Greenwood in action for Manchester United
It's little wonder many fans felt uneasy with Blackmore calling for Greenwood to come back to Man Utd. Although once the most talented prospect emerging at the Carrington academy, the winger's career was derailed in 2022 amid allegations of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault, per Goal.
The Crown Prosecution Service ultimately dropped all charges in early 2023, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses as new material that also came to light. After separately conducting a lengthy internal investigation, however, Man Utd decided it was best for both parties if he continued his career elsewhere. That call came amid significant pressure from fans.
Greenwood scored 35 goals in 129 games for Man Utd. He was then loaned out to Getafe in 2023/24, before being sold to Marseille. With 48 goals in 81 games for the French club, Fenerbahce spent £33.27m to sign the Englishman in July 2026. He has eight goals in his first 19 games for the Turkish team.