MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 04:33:14| >> :120:6750:6750:

Mason Greenwood 'could return to Manchester United in January'

Mason Greenwood 'could return to Man United in January'
© Reuters
Manchester United reportedly possess the option to recall Mason Greenwood from his loan spell at Getafe in January should the move not work out for both parties.

Mason Greenwood's loan deal with Getafe allegedly includes a break clause enabling Manchester United to recall him to the club in January.

After Man United decided that the attacker would not return to the club following the end of his criminal case, Greenwood joined the La Liga side on loan for the 2023-24 campaign.

The one-cap England international has not played a competitive football match since January 2022, having been arrested following allegations posted online by a woman.

Greenwood was due to go on trial in November of this year to face charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but the case was dropped in February.

The Crown Prosecution Service announced that there would no longer be a realistic prospect of conviction due to key witnesses withdrawing and new material coming to light, allowing him to resume his football career.

Mason Greenwood arrives in court in November 2022© Reuters

Greenwood began to rebuild his fitness levels in individual training sessions, which Man United supposedly received data from, and the club were said to be preparing for his re-integration after an internal review.

However, once news of the Red Devils' plan was leaked, the club faced enormous backlash on social media, seeing them reverse their decision and announce that Greenwood would not play for the club again.

No permanent bids for the 21-year-old were lodged, but rather than terminate his contract, Man United chose to send Greenwood on loan to Getafe in order to resume his career away from the English spotlight.

Greenwood may not remain in Spain for the entirety of the campaign, though, as The Athletic claims that Man United possess a break clause enabling them to end his loan spell in January should they wish.

While the Red Devils could theoretically bring him back over the winter if the loan does not work out, the report adds that such an option is included in a large portion of loan deals as a standard practice, and Greenwood is not expected to represent the club again.

 Manchester United's Mason Greenwood during the warm up before the match, December 8, 2021© Reuters

The Englishman's future beyond 2024 remains unclear, though, as he is still under contract at Man United until 2025, which also includes the option of an additional 12 months.

A permanent move to Saudi Arabia was mooted this summer, but clubs in the Middle East - who have welcomed a plethora of celebrated names to the Saudi Pro League this summer - decided against a move due to concerns about how Greenwood's arrival could negatively affect their image.

In addition, the report adds that all of Brentford, Roma, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund turned down the chance to sign Greenwood, while a move to Lazio fell through as a full agreement was not reached before the Italian window closed four hours before the English window.

Greenwood joined Man United at the age of seven and represented the senior team on 129 occasions before his arrest, scoring 35 goals and registering 12 assists.

The 21-year-old did not make Getafe's squad for their loss to Real Madrid at the weekend, though, and it is unclear when he might make his debut for Pepe Bordalas's side.

ID:523267:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5190:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Mason Greenwood

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood pictured in July 2021
Read Next:
Mason Greenwood 'determined to make Man United comeback'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!