Erik ten Hag’s Stance on Mason Greenwood’s Potential Return to Manchester United Revealed. According to reports, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has already expressed his position on the potential return of Mason Greenwood to the club. As Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS prepare to make a decision about Greenwood’s future, Ten Hag has reportedly indicated his preferred course of action.
Greenwооd, the 22-yeаr-оld fоrwаrd, hаs nоt plаyed fоr Mаnchester United since Jаnuаry 2022, when he wаs аrrested аnd lаter chаrged with аttempted rаpe, аssаult, аnd cоntrоlling аnd cоercive behаviоr, аll оf which he denied. Hоwever, in Februаry оf the sаme yeаr, the chаrges were drоpped by the Crоwn Prоsecutiоn Service due tо the withdrаwаl оf key witnesses аnd new evidence.
After a six-month club investigation, then-chief executive Richard Arnold reportedly informed United staff of his plans to reintegrate Greenwood into the first-team squad for the current season. However, due to internal and external backlash surrounding the academy graduate’s planned return, the club had a change of heart. Greenwood was subsequently sent out on loan to Getafe on deadline day.
During his time in Spain, Greenwood has impressed, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 17 appearances for Getafe. His performances have reportedly attracted interest from top La Liga clubs such as Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. This has raised questions about whether Manchester United’s new sporting structure will follow through with Arnold’s initial plan to give Greenwood a second chance at Old Trafford.
This summer, Manchester United will have three likely options concerning Greenwood’s future: approving his return, selling him permanently to generate a transfer fee, or loaning him out again and allowing him to leave for free in 2025. Reports suggest that Ratcliffe and INEOS will wait until later in the season, after the Premier League has ratified their minority investment and they have officially assumed control of the club’s football operations, before committing to any decision.
Previous reports indicated that Ten Hag preferred Greenwood’s return when the club considered his future last year. It was reported that Ten Hag supported and encouraged Arnold’s decision to bring Greenwood back to the senior squad, a stance allegedly shared by football director John Murtough. Ten Hag has yet to work with Greenwood directly, as he arrived after the player’s arrest when Ralf Rangnick was the interim boss. Manchester United has not denied Ten Hag’s reported stance, and it is unlikely that the promising performances Greenwood has displayed at Getafe have changed the Dutchman’s opinion regarding a potential return.