Ratcliffe risks possible strike over Greenwood Man Utd return

Stuart Telford

• 5 Mar 2024 08:36 CST
• 3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has floated the idea of folding Mason Greenwood back in at Manchester United - to the consternation of some at Old Trafford.

Greenwood was farmed out on loan to Getafe at the start of the season, and the assumption was that the academy graduate had played his last game for United.

He had previously been accused of rape, assault and coercive control before the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges last February.

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The one-time England international has impressed in Spain, with six goals and five assists in 23 La Liga games for Getafe, and Barcelona are reportedly interested in his services.

When asked if United would consider folding Greenwood back into the first-team picture at Old Trafford, new minority owner Ratcliffe said: "Yes, absolutely. We will make a decision and we will justify it."

Backlash

But he will face significant pushback from within United family.

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"Staff members have voiced unease at a possible turnaround on Greenwood's future at United," reports Charlotte Harpur for The Athletic.

"The internal sentiment which forced a U-turn on plans to bring him back into the fold in August has not changed in recent months."

A section of United's workforce reportedly researched how to go on strike when Greenwood's return was first floated, whilst others were understood to be ready to resign.

Ratcliffe's has paid the Glazer family £1.3 billion for a 27.7 per cent stake in United, one that will give him 'sporting control' but initial excitement at his arrival is beginning to make way for a more sobering reality.

INEOS' chief executive of sport Jean-Claude Blanc recently said that the club fund a new stadium ahead of investing in the playing squad - one that currently sits sixth in the Premier League, 19 points behind leaders Liverpool.