Mason Greenwood, a star for Manchester United, reportedly doesn’t think he’ll be given a second chance at Old Trafford. But according to rumors, former manager Jose Mourinho has thrown a lifeline to the forward by agreeing to send Greenwood on loan to Roma.
In January 2022, Greenwood made his final United appearance in a matchup against West Ham in the Premier League. However, he was afterwards accused of attempted rape, using coercive or controlling tactics, and assault.
In the end, those charges were dismissed in February, with the Crown Prosecution Service noting that “the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction”
After beginning their own internal inquiry into the circumstances to determine his future, United has yet to re-enter Greenwood into the running. The 21-year-old’s future at the Theatre of Dreams is being decided by the 13-time Premier League champions.
There have been rumors that he would return to his United career after a season out on loan; if that is the case, a transfer to Italy may be in the works.
The Sun reports that Mourinho has reached out to Greenwood to offer him a second opportunity in the event that his current employers decide to loan him out or possibly terminate his contract entirely.
And a source told the publication: “Jose rang Mason’s dad and also spoke with Mason. He told him the best way out of his current situation is to start playing football – and that eventually all the hassle will fade away.
“Mason was pleased that he got in touch and it has lifted his spirits. He wants to get back playing and is just waiting for United to tell him what the future holds.”
Mourinho has a bond with Greenwood after selecting the forward to go on United’s 2018 pre-season tour of the USA at the age of just 16. But the ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss could face a battle to secure Greenwood’s signature as Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan are also said to be interested in landing him.
In March 2019, Greenwood made his United first-team debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a late substitution during his team’s Champions League round of 16 comeback triumph over Paris Saint-Germain. A few days later, he came off the bench in a Premier League match against Arsenal.
The teenage player earned his lone England cap during a Nations League match against Iceland in September 2020. He has since scored 35 goals and provided 12 assists in 129 appearances for the Red Devils. Greenwood, however, now thinks that a new beginning at United is improbable.