The distressing images and audio posted on social media of a young woman bloodied and bruised could not be ignored.
And no matter how valuable Mason Greenwood is – or how prodigious his talent - such allegations are so much bigger than that.
“We are aware of images and allegations circulating on social media, said a United spokesperson. “We will not make any further comment until the facts have been established. Manchester United do not condone violence of any kind.
That, in itself, was a bold move and acknowledgement of the situation.
Rumours and sordid allegations swirl around on social media on a near-daily basis. It is the nature of the modern world, of high definition cameras on phones and the power of just about anybody who owns one to become a global publisher.
Fabulously wealthy young people, not just elite footballers, know their moves can be constantly tracked and they have teams of handlers dedicated to dealing with problematic content.
This story is from the January 31, 2022 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the January 31, 2022 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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