Mason Greenwood could play for Manchester United again once his Getafe loan spell ends, per a new report.
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Greenwood on loan after exileReturn to United has not been ruled outInterest from Barcelona and other clubsWHAT HAPPENED?
Greenwood has not played for United since January 2022, when he was arrested on suspicion of rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour. Those charges were subsequently dropped, and he was loaned to Getafe in the summer, where he has since starred. In La Liga, he has scored six goals and registered five assists in 25 games, and now reports that a return is very much a possibility.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The report lays out the options available to United. Since INEOS took joint-control of the club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear that he is open to Greenwood's return – albeit with the caveat that a decision will be taken by INEOS as a whole – and claims a decision must again be made, with nothing off the table.
There is a scenario in which the former England international could return to the first-team fold, but the club avoided that option last summer for fear of reputational damage, as well as a backlash from the club's women's team. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are all said to have expressed an interest, but United are demanding around £30 million ($37m) if they are to sell him, a fee deemed unreasonable by most European clubs.
DID YOU KNOW?
There remains an option that Greenwood could leave on loan once again, with Getafe keen to keep him for another season. Were that to happen, United would likely trigger the option to extend the striker's contract by another 12 months, which would allow them to sell him next summer, although that is again complicated by their potential valuation.
United's shift from their statement when Greenwood left – in which they claimed that it was best for the player to continue his career away from Old Trafford – is significant however, and it may well be viewed as the club preparing the ground for his return.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
The fact is, nobody seems to know. Greenwood could well be heading back to United but he may well also leave, if a club can match the Red Devils' asking price. Or there is the potential of Greenwood staying at Getafe. It appears there are a number of questions United need to find an answer to; it remains to be seen which conclusion they will come to.