The former Manchester United star has been forced to issue an apology after his social media post about Mason Greenwood caused a stir

Former Manchester United defender Clayton Blackmore has apologised for calling upon Mason Greenwood to return to Old Trafford. Blackmore urged the English forward to "come home" following his performance for Fenerbahce in their 3-2 Champions League victory over Liverpool on Wednesday.

The 62-year-old's comments prompted a furious reaction on social media, with supporters questioning this public backing. Greenwood, 25, scored Fenerbahce's equaliser after Trey Nyoni had put Liverpool ahead, before two late goals secured a memorable victory for the Turkish side.

"Well done Mason Greenwood beating Liverpool," Blackmore, who made 245 appearances for Manchester United between 1982 and 1994, wrote on X. "Come home to us please [heart emoji]."

The post was quickly met with criticism from fans, many of whom condemned Blackmore for appearing to overlook the circumstances surrounding Greenwood's departure from United. Blackmore subsequently deleted the message and issued an apology the following day.

A product of United's academy, Greenwood was regarded as one of the club's brightest young talents. However, he was arrested and charged in 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

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The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew their involvement and new material came to light. United subsequently conducted an internal investigation before deciding Greenwood would not resume his career at Old Trafford.

He spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Getafe before joining Marseille permanently in 2024. Greenwood scored 48 goals in 81 appearances for the French club before moving to Fenerbahce this summer. He has made an encouraging start to life in Turkey, registering eight goals in 19 appearances.

It isn't the first time Blackmore has attracted criticism for his public comments about Greenwood. In January, he expressed his disappointment that both the forward and former United youngster Angel Gomes were no longer at Old Trafford after the pair scored for Marseille.

"Good to see Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood score for Marseille in first 26 mins. Sad they're not still at United," he wrote. The post attracted a backlash, although Blackmore defended his position at the time, insisting he was looking at the situation from a footballing perspective.

He later issued a further apology, writing: "Sorry... I will do my home work next time just looking at it from the football side."

Blackmore, a former Wales international, joined United as a 14-year-old schoolboy in 1978. He made his senior debut six years later but did not establish himself as a key member of the squad until Sir Alex Ferguson took charge in 1986.

He was part of United's 1992/93 Premier League title-winning squad and also won the FA Cup in 1990, before helping the club lift the European Cup Winners' Cup and European Super Cup in 1991.

Blackmore ended his 16-year association with the Red Devils in 1994, joining Middlesbrough on a free transfer.