Mason Greenwood offered international switch - "I'd love to have him in my team"

06 March 2024 , 00:00

1142     0

Greenwood made his only England appearance against Iceland in September 2020 (Image: Getty Images)

Jamaica manager Heimir Hallgrimsson says that he'd "love" to offer Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood a return to international football.

Greenwood, who has one cap for England which he earned against Iceland in September 2020, is now on loan at Getafe and unlikely to receive a call-up from Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024 this June. The 22-year-old joined Getafe when United decided that he'd continue his career away from the club after he had charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm - all of which he denied - dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023.

Eligible to play for Jamaica via his father, Andrew, there've been multiple reports in recent years claiming that the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) are open to the idea of Greenwood representing them instead of England. Under current FIFA rules, the United academy graduate would be eligible to change his international allegiance.

During a CONCACAF Nations League preview event in Dallas on Tuesday, Jamaica boss Hallgrimsson confirmed that he's discussed the prospect of Greenwood being part of his team. "I really don't like to talk about 'what if', but this, of course, has come to our mind," the Icelandic coach told the Athletic.

"I would love to have him in my team. Like all coaches, I would like to have the best players in our team, but it's always up to the player himself if he wants to do it."

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

Since signing for Getafe in September, Greenwood has scored seven goals and registered five assists. His form has even prompted links of a summer move to Barcelona, but United's new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has revealed that the club will reassess Greenwood's future at the end of the season.

"We will make a decision, correct," Ratcliffe stated last month. "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?

Jamaica boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has been in contact with Mason Greenwood (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

"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. 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. 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?"

Nathan Ridley