Erik ten Hag looks set to be granted his wish of retaining the services of Mason Greenwood in the long-term as Manchester United reportedly look to find a loan move for the forward. The Red Devils are still conducting an internal investigation into the 21-year-old and he has not been included in the club’s pre-season tour squad of the United States.
Greenwood has not featured for United since January 2022, despite the Crown Prosecution Service discontinuing their charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control behaviour against him in February this year.
The Red Devils have instead insisted that they will hold their own internal investigation into their academy graduate before ruling whether he will ever return to the squad. Players and members of staff from both the men’s and women’s teams have been consulted in the investigation, though an outcome has not been reached.
According to The Athletic, Greenwood has still been told not to return to training and United are actively ‘looking at potential loan deals’ for the versatile forward. The Old Trafford outfit are said to have given Atalanta the chance to sign the England international in discussions about striker target Rasmus Hojlund, though the Serie A side have played down the prospect.
With United only looking to allow Greenwood to leave on loan rather than permanently, it suggests that the forward may have a future at the club further down the line. The decision could prove to be music to the ears of Ten Hag, who has reportedly been reluctant to allow the forward to leave permanently, per the Manchester Evening News.
It remains to be seen whether the decision also impacts the amount of forwards that United sign this summer given that Ten Hag has specifically requested two – a marquee No 9 and a youngster. However, with Greenwood returning, United may look at alternative options, including a loanee to plug the hole in their squad in the short term.
Former Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney has told The Athletic that the No 11 needs to leave the Theatre of Dreams this summer to get his career back on track, regardless of whether that is permanently or on loan.
He said: “He needs to get back playing because it has been a long time. With everything that has happened and how long the internal investigation has taken, it’s probably got to a place now where Mason just needs to go and play and to try and get his career back on track.
“It’s a difficult position for Mason but for the club as well. You have to make sure you get to the right decision before moving forward and it looks like they’re really struggling to get to that place.”
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