Manchester United are prepared to welcome Mason Greenwood back for pre-season training if they’re unable to sell him in the next fortnight amid interest from clubs across Europe
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood is thought to prefer a move to Marseille over his other options.
Greenwood, 22, has also been linked with Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Valencia and Benfica after his season-long loan with Spanish side Getafe recently came to an end. But now French giants Marseille have entered the race, with talks between the two clubs ongoing.
The former England international was loaned to Getafe last September after United’s previous football regime decided that it was best for him to continue his career away from Old Trafford. In February 2023, Greenwood 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.
United then conducted a six-month internal investigation before loaning out the 22-year-old. Now with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues in charge of football operations at United, Mirror Football understands that club chiefs are prepared to welcome the striker back for pre-season training if they’re unable to negotiate his exit within the next fortnight.
Greenwood scored 10 goals and laid on six assists while at Getafe, generating interest from across Europe. Reports emerged on Wednesday claiming that Marseille are in contact with United, who are understood to be proactively looking for a buyer and value Greenwood – who’s in the final year of his contract – at around £30million.
The Athletic explain that at present, Greenwood would prefer to join Marseille over other options. Marseille recently appointed ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager after finishing eighth in Ligue 1 last season.
Lazio are the other most prominently linked club, with dialogue between the Italian outfit and United said to be still be open. Getafe also wanted to sign him on a permanent basis but their hope appears to have faded.
After INEOS chairman Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7 per cent stake in the club earlier this year, he confirmed that a “fresh decision” would be made on Greenwood. “I can talk about the principle. I am not going to talk about Mason. I am familiar with it. The principle is the important one,” Ratcliffe explained.
“We will have other issues going forwards. You are dealing with young people who have not always been brought up in the best circumstances, who have a lot of money and they don’t always have the guidance they should have.
“What we need to do when we have issues like that is understand real effects, not the hype. Then we need to make a fair decision in the light of the club’s values. That’s what we need to do and that’s how we will deal with it.”
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