Man Utd's stance on Mason Greenwood return revealed after 'putting buy-back clause in Marseille deal'

Man Utd Mason Greenwood

Man Utd recently sold Mason Greenwood to Marseille

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 22/07/2024

- 15:05

The forward has moved to France to begin the next chapter in his career

Manchester United don't expect Mason Greenwood to return to Old Trafford despite agreeing a buy-back clause with Marseille, according to reports.

Greenwood was recently sold by the Red Devils, with the striker moving to France in a deal worth an initial £19.9million.


The 22-year-old left United after not playing for the club since January 2022, back when Ralf Rangnick was in charge.

He impressed for Getafe in LaLiga last term, bagging 10 goals from 36 appearances across all competitions despite not kicking a ball for the 18 months prior to his loan move to Spain.

Man Utd Mason Greenwood

Man Utd recently sold Mason Greenwood to Marseille

GETTY

United confirmed last summer that Greenwood wasn't expected to feature for the club again despite charges against the striker, which he always denied, being dropped.

But the Daily Telegraph say the Red Devils have agreed a buy-back clause with Marseille that would enable them to potentially lure him back to the Premier League.

While that's the case, however, United don't expect Greenwood to ever pull on their iconic red shirt again.

The possibility of United activating the clause is said to be 'very low'. However, it's still intriguing that the Red Devils have placed the clause in the deal given that's the case.

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The report says 'greater significance' is being attached to the high sell-on clause United have also agreed with Marseille.

Erik ten Hag's side will reportedly pocket 50 per cent of any future fee fetched for the forward, who is still seen as a player with immense potential.

Greenwood had, prior to joining Marseille, been linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

There is still a sense that, if he evolves over in France, then Greenwood could yet join an even bigger club in the future.

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Greenwood's family reportedly felt it was best for the England international to continue his career abroad, rather than in the United Kingdom.

He enjoyed his time at Getafe last term, with the forward able to escape the hostility of England as he rediscovered his joy of football.

Lazio had been in the race to sign the forward, with the Serie A giants narrowly missing out on a loan deal last term.

Benfica, Napoli, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund also enquired about Greenwood but, in the end, he chose Marseille - where he'll play under former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi.

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Mason Greenwood Getafe

Mason Greenwood sparkled for Getafe last season after joining on loan from Man Utd

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Greenwood, speaking after his move to Marseille was confirmed, said he wants to put the past behind him.

“I am aware of all this, of course, but I do not want to enter into any controversy, I already expressed my feelings last year (in a press release from August 2023)," he said.

"Today, all of this is now behind us."

And Marseille president Pablo Longoria says the club will do everything they can to help Greenwood and get the forward back to his best.

Mason Greenwood Man Utd

Mason Greenwood hadn't played for Man Utd since January 2022 before joining Marseille

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"I respect everyone's opinion," he said. "But I am not here to get into controversy. We are talking about the past. It is a complex and old situation.

"It is time to talk about the future. As president, I will support Mason to help him achieve the club's objectives.

"I will help him as a player and as a man. He has all the values that we want to develop in the club like all his team-mates who are here and those who will arrive."

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