Mason Greenwood could have a way back at Manchester United once he has completed his season-long loan at Getafe, it has been suggested. United haven’t yet confirmed that Greenwood has no long-term future at the club, leaving the door ajar for a return next summer.
In August, United chief executive Richard Arnold announced that Greenwood had mutually agreed to resume his career away from Old Trafford this season.
The 22-year-old forward had been suspended on full pay since January 2022, when he was arrested and later charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Greenwood denied all allegations before charges were dropped in February of this year, prompting United to launch an internal investigation to decide his future.
According to The Athletic, Arnold informed club staff that he planned to reintegrate Greenwood into Erik ten Hag’s squad but made a sensational U-turn due to the mass online backlash that the report received from fans, pundits and domestic abuse charities.
In his official statement, Arnold explained that it was just one of several scenarios the club considered. But he insisted United were satisfied that Greenwood was innocent of the dropped charges.
The Guardian’s Jackson claims that while it is unlikely at this stage due to the already-teased hysteria, there does appear to be a way back for Greenwood at Old Trafford.
The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson told Stretford Paddock that he learned of an announcement on Greenwood’s planned return at the start of August during the Las Vegas leg of United’s pre-season tour.
United’s official word at the time stated that Greenwood wasn’t expected to represent the club again. But Jackson suggests that the club would’ve made the fact he had no future at Old Trafford clear if that was set in stone.
Jackson interestingly added that sources had told him that United figures considered Greenwood the club’s best player before his January 2022 arrest.
And he relayed reports that the football side of United’s operations – including manager Erik ten Hag and football director John Murtough – wanted him back as soon as the charges were dropped.
Greenwood’s United return is unlikely, despite the numbers involved, his status as a homegrown talent and his elite potential.
The former Red Devils No 11 has shown little in the early stages of his Getafe career to prove he can quickly rediscover his electric pre-suspension form.
But the situation may have rapidly evolved by the time next summer comes around, leaving United’s hierarchy with a big decision to make ahead of his 2025 contract expiry.
