Mason Greenwood is having what many would consider a good start to life in Spain, and after recent reports suggesting that the 22-year-old could be given another chance at parent club Manchester United, such a decision would have its fair share of pros and cons.
The England international has been on an impressive streak since joining Getafe on loan in August, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 12 appearances, and showing no signs of letting up. Now, with a potential change in the Manchester side's ownership structure, there is reportedly a chance the forward could see himself playing regularly at Old Trafford once again.
Read: Ex-Chiefs star opens up on next move after MLS exit
United CEO Richard Arnold announced the decision to send Greenwood out on loan earlier this year and, at the time, insisted that the 22-year-old had no future at the club. He added that the side would help the forward get his career back on track after charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm levelled against him were dropped in February this year.
Now, however, circumstances in the boardroom have changed. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe said to be on the verge of securing a 25% stake in the Red Devils and assuming control of the Manchester club's sporting operations, the changes in the boardroom could result in changes on the pitch. One such change could be Greenwood and his future at the club as it is now believed that Ratcliffe and his team will assess the star and make a decision on him towards the end of the season.
Regardless of what decision they make, the club is bound to upset a considerable amount of people, whether it be the fanbase or neutrals who are strongly against seeing someone who had previously been charged for attempted rape, despite it getting dropped, being glorified solely for his footballing ability. The club would be seen by many as an organisation that does not condemn such behaviour and even worse, condones it.
On the other hand, with the Red Devils struggling to deliver results accompanied by good performances in 2023/24 so far, if the contributions Greenwood have made this season were done so while wearing a red jersey instead of a blue one, who knows how differently United's campaign could have been?
For the sake of playing devil's advocate, one can consider the age he was when those unfortunately disturbing voice recordings were made available to the public. He was around 20 years old, and one could make a case that he was a young footballer whose quick rise to prominence may have been just a little too quick for him. When a player begins to make a hefty amount of money at a young age, he sometimes feels as though the world is at his fingertips and he can become accustomed to getting everything he wants, and when he is told "no", struggles to deal with it.
It's a case that some United fans would make as they watch their team struggle to score goals. Erik ten Hag's men have managed to net only 18 league goals in 15 matches this season. Only six clubs have scored less: Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Luton Town, Everton, Burnley, and Sheffield United. All of those sides are in the bottom half of the table, with three of them being in the relegation zone.
The fact that a significant portion of United's fanbase is even considering the potential return of a player who had been accused of attempted rape, assault and coercive control speaks volumes about the situation at the club. Some of the Old Trafford faithful are not only considering the option but arguing in favour of his return to the side. This is a reflection of just how poor the current forwards representing the club have been this season.
Read: Will Arsenal burst Man City's bubble this time around?
Jadon Sancho was banned from all first-team activities after he took to social media to essentially disagree with his manager after the Dutch tactician publicly criticised his work ethic in training. Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, is not at all firing, with even the most empathetic fans running out of patience with the academy graduate. The winger has managed only two goals and four assists in 19 matches in all competitions. Winger Antony, meanwhile, has statistically not contributed to Ten Hag's side so far this season having failed to register a single goal or assist in 15 appearances, accumulating more yellow cards than he has goal contributions.
So,considering all the abovementioned, would it be worth it to the club to bring Greenwood back? Only time will tell if it even happens, but some do feel an argument is there for it.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH: