MANCHESTER United's handling of the Mason Greenwood saga has left staff feeling a "deep shame".
The striker, 21, has not featured for the club since his arrest in January last year.
A criminal probe into allegations of attempted rape, assault and coercive control was dropped in February, but Greenwood has remained subject to an internal investigation led by club officials.
But The Sun revealed on Wednesday that he is expected to be reinstated at United as early as next week.
And staff at the club feel a deep sense of shame over his possible return, The Guardian reports.
The majority of staff on the footballing side of the club are understood to be in favour of giving Greenwood a second chance.
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But there are employees who feel frustration over United's handling of its internal investigation.
A final decision will be made over the next 48 hours by United's chief executive Richard Arnold.
But the announcement will be delayed until after the Lionesses World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.
A source said: "This has been a long and difficult process for everyone involved, but it's nearing the end.
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"The internal investigation is over and Mason is likely to be reinstated at Old Trafford.
"He's made no secret of his desire to to get back to doing what he does best.
"He's already got the backing of the players and manager Erik ten Hag. He's just waiting for the green light."
In a statement released on Wednesday, the club said it was "in the final stages" of announcing a decision.
It said the "fact-finding phase" of the probe had been completed, but no final decision had yet been made.
It comes as members of Manchester United Women's team have reportedly raised concerns about the prospect of Greenwood returning to the training ground.
Natalie Burrell, founder of Manchester United's Women's Supporters' Club, said the footballer should not make a return – admitting it would "destroy" the club.
And protests were staged at Old Trafford before United's opening match of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday.
Countdown co-host Rachel Riley has also vowed to stop supportingUnited if they welcome back Greenwood.
Rachel, 37, was responding to broadcast comments from another female United fan, named Em, saying she would "walk away from my club" if Greenwood returned.
Greenwood, suspended on full pay of £75,000 a week, has been training alone – following drills drawn up by United's coaching staff.
His last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham United, which United won 1-0.
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He was charged in October last year and was due to stand trial in November this year.
But prosecutors withdrew the case on February 2 after his alleged victim and a dozen more witnesses refused to co-operate.
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