Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Football, Transfers, Jose Mourinho, Mason Greenwood, Manchester United, AS Roma
Chris Byfield
Topics: Football, Transfers, Jose Mourinho, Mason Greenwood, Manchester United, AS Roma
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been handed a career lifeline by a legendary Premier League manager, it has been claimed.
The 21-year-old has not played for the Old Trafford club for over a year and is the subject of an internal investigation that has taken five months and counting.
Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 and charged 10 months later with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
However, Greater Manchester Police announced on February 2 that Greenwood “no longer faces criminal proceedings” after key witnesses withdrew their involvement in the case and new material came to light during a police investigation..
Advert
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood and since United have been conducting their own process as they “determine the next steps”.
Greenwood has reportedly spoken to the club for the investigation but, while all options remain on the table, a final decision has still not been made.
Indeed, should United opt to terminate Greenwood’s contract upon the conclusion of their investigation, the forward would still be allowed to continue his career elsewhere.
And Jose Mourinho’s Roma are allegedly interested in signing the attacker.
Advert
Greenwood to Roma?
According to the Sun, Mourinho has reached out to Greenwood over the prospect of joining Roma on loan.
The publication claimed the former United manager has contacted the player to offer him a second chance if the Premier League giants decide to send him on loan or cancel his deal.
Quoting a “source” the Sun allege that Mourinho has spoken to both Greenwood and his father, and told them that the “best way out of his current situation” is to start playing football.
Advert
Juventus, Inter and AC Milan have also been linked with Greenwood in the past few months.
Mourinho played a central role in Greenwood’s early United career, having picked the then 16-year-old for United’s pre-season tour in the US back in 2018.
Indeed, former United midfielder Nicky Butt once revealed that Mourinho identified Greenwood as a future first-team star at just 15.
Butt, who was a United coach when Mourinho was boss from 2016 to 2018, said via the Sun: "I was his academy boss so I wondered what it would be like.
Advert
"The reality was that he was approachable and friendly. He was single-minded and selfish — and that’s what the best managers are.
"He asked, ‘Who is this kid Greenwood?’ when Mason was 15. He said, ‘Bring him to train with us’, and I said, ‘We can’t because he’s at school and there are rules’."