Mason Greenwood: Man Utd icon orders star to ‘get out now’, but Ten Hag digs heels in amid potential U-turn

Mason Greenwood continues to await a firm decision on his future at Manchester United – but a legendary Red Devils figure has warned the player he will need to think of moving on, despite the hopes of manager Erik ten Hag.

The 21-year-old striker is yet to kick a professional ball for the club since a 1-0 win over West Ham in January 2022. And while all criminal charges against the attacker have been dropped, he remains suspended by the club – on full pay – as they conclude their own investigation into his conduct.

And while that decision seemingly close to being concluded, there are clearly a number of issues for United to consider.

To that end, the senior United squad are reportedly split on whether to welcome Greenwood back into fold. On the flip side, the club’s commercial partners, together with their women’s team, are reportedly wholly opposed to him returning to the fold.

That said, hopes of his possible reintroduction to the squad were given a lift on Wednesday. That was amid a claim that Ten Hag, having held a number of private calls with Greenwood, was prepared to stand by the Bradford-born star.

And while hugely-controversial, that possibility was given further credibility following a report in the Daily Express. And they suggest that, having not yet terminated his deal, together with efforts by United to loan him out, suggests he will likely have a future at Old Trafford.

However, United’s wishes to send Greenwood to Atalanta for a year as part of the Rasmus Hojlund deal have been blanked by the Serie A side.

Other mooted exit routes, to Juventus, Roma, Inter, Turkey and China are also yet to materialise.

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Wayne Rooney offers Mason Greenwood advice on Man Utd future

Nonetheless, United continue to tread water in what is something of a political nightmare. His reintroduction into the fold would be hugely controversial to say the least.

And Ten Hag, in conversation with Greenwood, has also made clear that any decision will be out of his hands. To that end, the Glazer family and United executive Richard Arnold will soon make their verdict public.

In the meantime, Greenwood has received some timely advice by United icon Wayne Rooney.

Now in charge of DC United in MLS, Rooney has given his take on the situation to The Athletic.

And the 37-year-old suggests it may be in Greenwood’s best interests to move on.

“It leaves Mason Greenwood in a position where he is stuck,” Rooney said. “So for Mason, it’s a bad position to be in because I’m sure he just wants to play football. But for the club, its image and ensuring they make the right decisions, it’s almost a catch 22.

“I think the best thing for Mason now is to get out of the club and go develop somewhere else. He needs to get back playing because it has been a long time.

“With everything that has happened and how long the internal investigation has taken, it’s probably got to a place now where Mason just needs to go and play and to try and get his career back on track.”

Difficult position for all connected with Greenwood saga

In the meantime, Greenwood has not been included in the United squad to tour the USA. They kick off their programme across the pond with a friendly against Arsenal in New Jersey on Saturday.

Rooney added: “It’s a difficult position for Mason but for the club as well. You have to make sure you get to the right decision before moving forward. And it looks like they’re really struggling to get to that place.”

Greenwood has scored 35 times in 129 appearances for United since his debut back in March 2019.

The 21-year-old, who recently became a father for the first time, has two years left on his deal at United.

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