Jude Bellingham 'played key role' in Mason Greenwood's Man Utd departure

Jude Bellingham played a role in Mason Greenwood’s move from Manchester United, according to Getafe manager Jose Bordalas.

Greenwood joined Spanish top-flight side Getafe on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day.

Indeed, in August, United announced Greenwood would leave by mutual agreement following a six-month internal club investigation. The Old Trafford club’s decision came after criminal charges against the player, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped in February.

The player has denied all accusations made against him.

Despite links to clubs in Italy, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Greenwood ended up agreeing a move to La Liga.

And according to Getafe boss Bordalas, Bellingham, who had completed an initial £88million move to Real Madrid earlier in the summer, had tried to convince Greenwood to follow a similar path.

Bordalas has told Radio Marca: “Greenwood is friends with Bellingham, and he advised him to come to the Spanish league.”

Greenwood has not played or trained with United since his arrest back in January 2022 following allegations surrounding material published online.

However, before said allegations emerged the striker was one of the most promising prospects in world football.

On signing the 21-year-old, who has 22 Premier League goals to his name, Bordales added: “It was a surprise, we never thought we could get a player like that.

“But they got in touch with our sporting director (Ruben Reyes), we talked, we didn’t think it could happen but both sides made an effort [financially].”

In early September, after being unveiled to the Getafe fans, Greenwood said: "I am very happy to be here.

"I have been training for four or five months, I am getting up to speed and have been training with my team-mates and feel quite good.

"We take it one game at a time and the next home game is coming in a few weeks and we will try to win and do our best."

Topics: Jude Bellingham, Mason Greenwood, Manchester United, Getafe, Real Madrid, Transfers

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.