Manchester United's prodigious forward, Mason Greenwood, has been at the center of a whirlwind of speculation and controversy in recent times. The young Englishman, who had been suspended by Manchester United since January 2022 following an arrest and subsequent charges by Manchester Police, has now officially parted ways with the club. Even though the charges against Greenwood were dropped earlier this year, the club decided to conduct its own internal investigation, which culminated in the decision to sever ties with the forward.
Greenwood's journey with Manchester United began when he was spotted by the club's scouts playing for a local team near his Bradford home. Joining the Old Trafford side's academy at the tender age of seven, he made his senior debut a decade later under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Solskjaer's faith in Greenwood's talent was evident when he sold senior striker Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan in 2019, aiming to promote Greenwood to the first team. Over the course of his tenure with Manchester United, Greenwood made an impressive 130 appearances across all competitions, netting 36 goals.
However, the recent controversies have overshadowed his on-field achievements. Following his exit from Manchester United, there were speculations about Greenwood's next move, with reports linking him to Saudi Pro League sides, including Al-Ettifaq, managed by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. These rumors gained traction after English publications reported Gerrard's interest in signing Greenwood. However, Gerrard was quick to dismiss these claims, terming them as "fake news" on his social media.
In a statement, Greenwood admitted that leaving Manchester United was the "best decision" for him at this juncture. He emphasized the collaborative nature of the decision-making process, involving Manchester United, his family, and himself. Greenwood expressed his desire to continue his football career away from Old Trafford, ensuring his presence wouldn't be a distraction for the club.
Despite his wish to remain in England, Greenwood's options seem limited. Two Championship clubs had shown interest, but both have since backed out. This leaves playing abroad as a potential path for the young forward. Manchester United has pledged to assist their academy graduate in finding a new club, with teams from Turkey and Italy also being linked in the past. However, despite past interest from AS Roma and their manager, Jose Mourinho, recent reports suggest that the Serie A side is not keen on signing the English forward.
Greenwood's journey, from a promising young talent to a figure embroiled in controversy, serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the football world. As the young forward looks to rebuild his career, fans and pundits alike will be keenly watching his next move.
