Greenwood gets Man Utd deadline as ‘REHAB’ loan touted

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 7 Jul 2023 21:20 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has a myriad of issues to juggle at present, with one of those hot topics the future of Mason Greenwood.

The 21-year-old has been out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford since January 2022 because of personal and legal difficulties, and while charges against him have been dropped by the police, he remains suspended by Man Utd.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that Ten Hag appreciates his footballing qualities and is open to the forward returning to the fold – a report that has since been echoed in numerous other outlets.

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Due to the nature of his issues – he faced charges for attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour before the police dropped the case – the once-capped England star’s future is being kept a closely guarded secret as an internal investigation takes place.

According to the Mirror, the Red Devils are “close” to deciding the player’s future, with Ten Hag reportedly frustrated over the length of time it has taken to resolve this issue. It is stated that the player will learn his fate before the Premier League season begins on 14 August.

With Man Utd of the belief that they will be criticised whichever decision they take, the club is considering a loan deal that would allow the player to continue his rehabilitation away from the club.

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There has been little indication of clubs that might be interested in signing Greenwood, although there were rumours that Jose Mourinho’s Roma might want to take the youngster to Roma.

Certainly, controversy is sure to follow Greenwood wherever his next steps in the professional game take him due to the nature of the last 18 months.

When did Mason Greenwood last play?

Greenwood’s last appearance for Manchester United came in a 1-0 win over West Ham on 22 January, 2022.

By the time he next plays a professional game, it will be at least 18 months after this encounter, although it does seem likely that he will continue his career as a professional footballer.