However, Getafe will not be starting Mason Greenwood against Villarreal on Saturday after giving him his first start for the team in midweek. The 21-year-old loanee from Manchester United has had a challenging start to his comeback career in Spain, all the while hearing ominous cries from the opposing team’s supporters.
The first equaliser by Gaston Alvarez was assisted by Greenwood, who played the full ninety minutes of Getafe’s 2-2 draw at Athletic Club on Wednesday.
Alfonso Perez’s arrival to the Coliseum as a victim of a system change, however, was delayed since he made room for Jaime Mata.
Despite having a bad start to the La Liga season, Getafe manager Jose Bordalas went to a five-at-the-back formation to counter the threat of Villarreal’s onslaught.
Getafe is in first place with eight points after two victories and two draws in their first seven games, while Villarreal is in 13th place with seven points after the same number of games.
Greenwood hasn’t scored since United’s 3-1 victory against Brentford on January 19, 2022, a few days before he was detained following charges made on social media.
Later, he was accused of attempting to rape someone, assault, and using coercive and controlling behaviours. Greenwood, however, vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Due to the “withdrawal of key witnesses,” the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed all charges against Greenwood in February of this year.
But after hearing rumours that chief executive Richard Arnold intended to reintegrate Greenwood into Erik ten Hag’s team, United approved a departure on the final day of the transfer window in the face of intense criticism.
The former No. 11 of the Red Devils signed a season-long loan with Getafe, playing four times with one start thus far.
However, after the player’s arrival, Getafe openly denounced taunting shouts directed at the club and the player. “Greenwood, die” was chanted by Osasuna and Real Sociedad supporters during their matches this month.
Getafe CF issued the following statement: “Getafe CF wants to express its total disapproval of the derogatory and intolerant chants, insults of particular gravity, that have been occurring on a regular basis during the National Championship of La Liga EA Sports and that harm our players’ and coaches’ morale.
From a sporting perspective, we respect insulting chants that come from any civic context and are aggravated with criticism as a form of free speech, but we do not share it when it is directed at Getafe CF’s coaching staff and staff members with slurs, insults, and disrespect. With their words, the actors that make up the fervent football world are also asked to show solidarity.
We cannot simply watch and remain motionless, especially in light of the current viewpoint’s attempt to influence the refereeing collective’s potential decision-making. A behaviour that has been repeated in this La Liga EA Sports debut and is completely inappropriate.
Getafe CF’s players and coaches participate in this show as top-tier professionals who are conscious of the media spotlight that comes with competing in the best league in the world. Beyond that, though, they are also sentient beings with families and friends who share their suffering, and they merit the respect we demand without causing rifts in this dialogue.
The reputation of our club, the Competition, and the professionals that participate in it are all severely damaged by all of this.
Getafe CF has ALWAYS been known as a group that respects organisations, competitors, and other football players. However, given the gravity of the situation, it is now necessary to speak up and defend the integrity of our athletes and coaches.