Manchester United face the prospect of another decision to make on Mason Greenwood, but this was always coming.
Last summer Manchester United made a complete mess when approaching a decision on Mason Greenwood‘s future. Underestimating the backlash to his potential return, United ended up releasing a statement saying he would play no part for the club in 2023/24.
What the club did not do was quite telling too. United did not release Greenwood from his contract, although might have had to, if a late loan deal was not struck with Getafe.
In the end, Greenwood headed to La Liga, and he has had a very strong season for a player who had not played any football in 18 months.
And heading into this summer, Manchester United have a decision to make when Greenwood’s loan expires. More shortly, first, let’s remind ourselves what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said this week.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe keeping open-minded on Mason Greenwood
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was quizzed on Mason Greenwood’s future this week as part of his media rounds after Ineos‘ 27.7 per cent investment in Manchester United was completed.
Ratcliffe did not rule anything out, simply stating Greenwood is a Manchester United player, and he would be assessed accordingly, like any other asset.
“It’s a fresh decision”, Ratcliffe told BBC Sport. “What we need to do when we have issues like that is understand real affects, 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.
“We need to look at facts. Judge fairly and take into consideration what the values of the club are. Then we come out of that with a decision. It is not appropriate for me to comment on Mason Greenwood.”
How Ratcliffe comments benefit Manchester United
Mason Greenwood has scored seven goals this season and provided five assists, attracting interest from Spain’s top teams, The Sun report.
United In Focus spoke with HITC Football‘s transfer insider Graeme Bailey, and he explains that Ratcliffe’s comments could end up benefitting Manchester United financially.
With a sale expected, teams were looking to strike a cheap deal with United for Greenwood. Now this may not be possible.
Bailey said: “From a transfer business standpoint, Manchester United are pleased with Ratcliffe’s comments, it puts them in great negotiating position.
“Barcelona and Atletico thought they could low ball them, as they thought Manchester United didn’t want him back now.
“Now United are positioning themselves to suggest ‘we will take him back’, which strengthens their hand for a higher fee.”
Spanish newspaper AS wrote yesterday that Atletico Madrid remain very interested, while Barcelona will be closely assessing him when they face Getafe at the Nou Camp this coming Saturday.
From a football talent perspective, Greenwood is clearly highly rated in Spain, and Manchester United cannot give an asset like this away for free.
As an academy graduate, Greenwood’s fee would be pure profit for the club’s accounts, which would be very valuable to negotiate Financial Fair Play. Ratcliffe separately expressed concern at the short-term challenge missing out on Champions League football could bring.
Ratcliffe is a businessman, and while he may be being seen to do the right thing by considering giving Greenwood a second chance, it is an astute observation that his comments simply serve to benefit the club financially, creating the illusion Manchester United could keep the player.