England footballer Mason Greenwood was being questioned into the night by police after being arrested over allegations of rape and assault.

The Manchester United forward, 20, remained in custody early today having been detained yesterday after distressing pictures and audio circulated on social media alleging he attacked an 18-year-old student.

The images appeared to show the woman bloodied and bruised.

Another post included a voice recording of a conversation between a man and a woman, dated October last year, which purportedly chronicled the woman being attacked.

Within hours of the messages emerging and spreading across social media, his club put out a statement saying it was aware of them and they were making inquiries 'to establish the full circumstances'.

It added: 'Manchester United does not condone violence of any kind.'

The woman was interviewed by plain clothes officers at her family home yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester police said they had launched an investigation after being made 'aware of online social media images and videos posted by a woman reporting incidents of physical violence'.

He added: 'Following inquiries we can confirm a man in his 20s has since been arrested on suspicion of rape and assault.

He remains in custody for questioning. Inquiries are ongoing.'

Forensic officers also arrived at Greenwood's £2million mansion in the upmarket village of Bowdon, Cheshire, yesterday evening.

Manchester United suspended the rising star, who earns a reported £75,000 a week, shortly before news of his arrest emerged.

In a second statement, the club hierarchy said the player would 'not return to training or play matches until further notice'.