Man Utd set date for Greenwood return decision after Ratcliffe opens door

28 February 2024 , 17:12

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Mason Greenwood's Manchester United future will be decided by the end of May (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United have set a deadline of the end of May to decide Mason Greenwood's future after Sir Jim Ratcliffe hinted he could return to the club.

Greenwood has impressed on loan at Getafe after the Red Devils decided it was best that the forward should "continue his career away from Old Trafford". United concluded an internal six-month investigation into Greenwood after charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Despite this, Greenwood could still have a future at United. New minority owner Ratcliffe revealed last week that the club might be open to welcoming the England international back in the summer. Greenwood has scored seven goals and provided five assists in 25 appearances this season.

And United have now assigned a cut off date for making a decision on whether Greenwood still has a future at the club. According to The Sun, Ratcliffe has tasked a team of trusted advisors to conclude the 'priority' matter by the end of the season, which would be the end of May.

Ratcliffe will attempt to speak to the fans' group and senior club officials ahead of making a final decision. The Sun also reported that Erik ten Hag has made it clear he would welcome the return of Greenwood if it works for all parties. The 22-year-old has not played for United since January 2022.

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Speaking after his 25 per cent deal was confirmed last Wednesday, Ratcliffe said: "We will make a decision, correct. All I can do is talk about the principle of how we will approach decisions like that. Is he the right type of footballer, are we happy with if is he a good person or not?

"He's a Manchester United footballer, so we are in charge of football. So the answer is 'yeah, we have to make decisions. It's quite clear we have to make a decision. There is no decision that's been made.

Mason Greenwood has not played for Man United since January 2022 (Getty Images)

"He's on loan obviously, but he's not the only one. We've got one or two footballers that we have to deal with and we have to make a decision on, so we will do that.

"The process will be: understand the facts not the hype, and then try and come to fair decision on the basis of values, which is basically is he a good guy or not? Could he play sincerely for Manchester United well, would we be comfortable with it and would the fans be comfortable with it?"

Meanwhile, it was reported earlier on Wednesday that Greenwood is NOT interested in a return to United. According to The Athletic, Greenwood would be 'reluctant' to move back to Manchester.

It is said that the Getafe striker feels that the club could have supported him better and he does not have any desire to represent United once again. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are among the other teams who have been linked with a move for Greenwood, while Getafe are keen in making the loan switch permanent.

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Kieran King