Mason Greenwood latest: What happens next for player on loan at Getafe?

The prospect of Mason Greenwood returning to Manchester United seems increasingly unlikely after news emerged that Getafe are considering turning his loan move into a permanent arrangement.

Greenwood, 22, joined the mid-table La Liga side on a season-long loan on the final day of the summer transfer window, and it is there, in the south of Spain’s capital Madrid, that he has been trying to rebuild his career.

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That move came about after Manchester United conducted a lengthy internal review into the forward’s behaviour, a process that concluded in August. This was in response to Greenwood being charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, all of which he denied. He had been due to stand trial but following the withdrawal of key witnesses, the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service announced in February it had discontinued the charges.

United’s initial plan was to reintegrate Greenwood into their first-team squad but after criticism and internal backlash, they announced Greenwood would be leaving Old Trafford. The expectation was he would not play for his boyhood club again, having not made an appearance since a match against West Ham in January last year.

Nearly four months on from his departure, Getafe president Angel Corres has said the Spanish side are “considering buying” Greenwood. The Athletic has also revealed that they will only have to pay 80 per cent of any agreed price should they purchase him outright.

The Spanish club — who do not expect Greenwood to return to United — did not pay a loan fee for the player’s services and the 20 per cent stake they have arranged was viewed as a way to secure value regardless of his next move. If United sell him to another club, Getafe will earn 20 per cent of the transfer fee.

So where does this latest development leave Greenwood? Dan Sheldon and Guillermo Rai answer some of the key questions surrounding his future.

What does this latest development mean for Greenwood’s future?

Since he joined Getafe, United’s position on Greenwood has been for him to rehabilitate himself at another club before they look to sell him next year.

The latest development doesn’t change that. If anything, it crystallises the fact the England international will not play for his boyhood side again.

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United agreeing to insert a 20 per cent sell-on clause into his contract, meaning Getafe stand to profit if they sell him elsewhere, is indicative of the desperate situation they found themselves in earlier this year.

They needed to find him a club amid a backdrop of controversy and knew there was not going to be a queue of teams willing to take the risk in fear of public backlash.

By signing Greenwood, Getafe took the brunt of the criticism and felt entitled to receive a portion of his transfer fee should he be sold elsewhere, given they were taking on responsibility for rehabilitating him and staying patient as he returned to match fitness.

How has Greenwood been doing in Spain?

Although Greenwood is yet to return to the sort of form that earned him a new contract at United in 2021 that was due to take him up to 2025, he has made a valued contribution at Getafe.

When he first arrived, after 18 months without playing first-team football, Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas gave him a ‘mini pre-season’. The training was focused on getting Greenwood used to the repetition of maximum effort.

The England international came on as a substitute in three of Getafe’s first four games, but since then he has been starting regularly, and has scored four goals and got three assists in 13 appearances.

A recent thunderous effort from the edge of the box against Almeria was a reminder of his abilities as a footballer but the club have made clear that they do not know if he will return to the same level he was at while still playing for United and the decision-makers at Getafe don’t think he will reach peak fitness again until January. But some of his other performances have also prompted praise, particularly when he set up a goal for Borja Mayoral after dribbling past three players.

Some fans of rival teams, such as those who support Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao, have criticised Getafe for signing the player, with whistles and shouts of, “Greenwood, die!”

How is he getting on in Spain off the pitch?

Although he is considered shy and even introverted by some, he is gradually catching on to the jokes of his Spanish and Argentine team-mates. Getafe wanted him to take Spanish lessons, so he has a teacher for that.

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On a personal level, he is happy in Madrid with his partner and daughter, as well as with the weather, food and house they have. There has been relatively little media pressure.

The club point out he has returned to posting on his social networks, something unthinkable when he first arrived.

How is he viewed in Getafe?

During Greenwood’s first training session after signing, fans screamed in celebration every time he touched the ball. Now they often wait for him at the exit of the complex’s car park. At Getafe’s 16,500-capacity Estadio Coliseum home, fans of all ages are regularly seen wearing his shirt.

A senior source at the club, speaking anonymously to be able to talk freely, told The Athletic in November that if he continues with his form, Getafe would discuss with United to see if he can continue in Spain beyond this season.

And speaking during a hospital visit on behalf of the club this week, Getafe president Corres said: “We have not talked about price. We have talked about looking at the situation and seeing what they propose because there has also been a change of shareholding there at Manchester United.

“But we are still happy with the meetings and with the videoconferences we have with them. It is too early to consider either continuing for one more season or that they will propose a price and we will commit the whole (of the contract) because we have a percentage and to buy the rest.

“I believe a lot (in Greenwood). From here, we continue to work periodically, we continue to meet with United to see if they are happy. The truth is that they are happy with the treatment, not only from the fans of Getafe, but also from the whole of Spain. Now we have to keep on defending him.

“He didn’t play for 16 months and in January/February he will get the rhythm. He will give us satisfaction.”

Have United been monitoring his progress?

The club track all their loan players. Greenwood is no exception. They have representatives attending games in Spain, but also watch his matches remotely on video.

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When he joined Getafe at the beginning of September, Greenwood was accompanied by United’s player support team to assist him during his first few days, which included helping with travel arrangements and finding suitable accommodation. After that, the player support officer returned to Manchester, which left it to Getafe and Greenwood to take responsibility for his day-to-day life.

United continue to offer support and oversight but it is only used by Greenwood, or the Spanish club, when either believe it is necessary.

Will INEOS becoming part owners of United change anything?

While it is unlikely Greenwood has been on INEOS’s radar during negotiations with the Glazer family over buying a stake in United, it will become their problem when they assume control of their football department, something that is expected to happen soon.

The easiest thing for INEOS to do would be to continue down the road of Greenwood’s career being away from Old Trafford. Given that United already did a U-turn by deciding his future lay away from Old Trafford, it would be a shock for INEOS to reverse that.

The options boil down to selling Greenwood or reintegrating him into the first-team squad. Greenwood’s contract runs up to 2025 with an option to extend for a year. United could extend it to either protect or enhance his value, but even that would likely draw unwanted questions.

Could he play for United again?

After The Athletic reported in August that United were going to bring him back into the fold, some club staff considered their positions and discussed the possibility of a strike. United also came under pressure from politicians, charities and supporters before changing their plans. That scrutiny will only return, and likely intensify, if there is even a small chance of Greenwood coming back to play for United again.

GO DEEPER

Mason Greenwood and Manchester United: The U-turn - what happened and why

After their U-turn, United’s statement said there are “difficulties” with Greenwood “recommencing his career” at the club and that it “would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford”.

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However, that same statement exonerated Greenwood of any guilt, saying, “We have concluded… Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged”, and the club did not completely rule out a return.

The intent and expectation at United is that he completes his rehabilitation on loan to Getafe before sealing a permanent move away from the club.

(Top photo: Alberto Gardin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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