Mason Greenwood: Crack European side reaches out to Man Utd striker over potential career-changing switch

Jose Mourinho has reportedly reached out to Mason Greenwood to offer the Manchester United striker a lifeline at Serie A giants Roma next season.

The England forward has not played for the Red Devils in more than 18 months after being charged by police with alleged rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault.

And despite the fact that those charges were dropped in February of this year, Greenwood has remained under suspension by United – who have been conducting their own investigation into the player’s conduct.

Recent reports suggest that Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag is reluctant to offload the 21-year-old on a permanent basis and feels a loan move is the best solution for him heading into the 2023-24 campaign.

And now, according to a report in The Sun, former United boss Mourinho has been in contact with Greenwood to discuss joining the Serie A side on loan.

A source is said to have told them: “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 holds Greenwood in high regard

Greenwood did not actually make his senior United debut until after Mourinho’s exit from the club in December 2018, although the Portuguese did have him firmly in his plans at the time.

He actually included him in the club’s pre-season tour of the US in July 2018, giving him his non-competitive debut that summer.

Greenwood then signed his first professional contract with the club in the months that followed and was frequently involved in first-team training.

To that end, it appears that Mourinho is fully aware of the talent the attacker possesses and is keen to bring that talent to Italy.

Indeed, former Red Devils midfielder Nicky Butt, who served as the club’s head of academy during Greenwood’s rise through the club’s academy system, commented in 2021 that Mourinho was so impressed with the youngster he wanted him to join the first-team picture aged just 15.

“He asked, ‘Who is this kid Greenwood?’ when Mason was 15. He said, ‘Bring him to train with us’, and I said, ‘We can’t, because he’s at school and there are rules'”.

However, it appears that Mourinho could be reunited with the Old Trafford star, if Ten Hag is willing to greenlight the switch this summer.

Greenwood has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for United since making his debut in March 2019 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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