Mason Greenwood is just like any other player, insists Getafe chief as the Spanish side defend the signing of forward after he was told he would never play for Manchester United again
- Mason Greenwood is one of three Getafe signings made in the summer window
- The former England international has not played a competitive game since 2022
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off
Getafe have defended their decision to sign Mason Greenwood this summer, claiming that the Manchester United forward is just like any other player.
Greenwood was arrested in 2022 on charges of attempted rape and assault, before the Crown Prosecution Service dropped their case against him in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew and new material came to light.
He was then subject of an internal investigation from the Premier League giants, following the disturbing allegations made against him, but after six months they found that he was unable to play a further part at the club and secured a deadline day loan to Spain.
Greenwood’s arrival at Getafe has been the subject of much scrutiny, with many slamming the Spanish side for being ‘tone deaf’ ahead of the player’s grand unveiling on Wednesday.
As such, the Azulones have been quick to defend their decision to bring in the former England international to bolster their attacking options.
Mason Greenwood completed a move to Getafe on loan from Manchester United on deadline day
The former England international was unveiled in front of Getafe supporters on Wednesday
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‘We did what we do – sign players that are available to sign,’ stated Getafe sporting director Ruben Reyes, There is no need for us to handle anything (off the pitch).
‘We have signed a footballer who is just the same as (fellow signings) Diego Rico and Oscar Rodriguez, and that’s it. We have to do our job, and that’s what we focus on.’
Reports suggest that Man United have a break clause in the player’s temporary loan deal that could see his time in Spain ended in January.
The forward was presented to the LaLiga club’s supporters at their Coliseum stadium in Madrid alongside their other summer signings.
Greenwood emerged from the tunnel accompanied by pyrotechnics and smoke and walked toward the centre of the pitch to speak to the crowd. His partner Harriet Robson was also present in the stands.
Greenwood told attendees that he was ‘feeling good’ and ‘happy to be here’, and later took to his Instagram page to reflect on his ‘amazing first day’.
The 21-year-old then added: ‘We take [it] one game at a time. I know the next home game is coming up soon. We are going to try and win it and do our best.’
There is as yet no indication that the player might return to United – or at least not that he might play a part in Erik ten Hag’s continued project – but Reyes hinted that he might want to hold on to the player for the foreseeable future.
Getafe have also signed Oscar Rodriguez (left) and Deigo Rico (right) this summer
Fans have quickly taken to their new star, who will wear the No 12 shirt for the duration of his loan
‘It is a year’s loan,’ Reyes added. ‘It’s very difficult to get an option to buy on a player (like him). He will be here all season. There are internal discussions, but those are small details that we try not to share. They appreciated the effort, how convinced we were.
‘We’re very excited with him. He was a player that we knew was out there. We worked on it, gathered information and bit by bit we saw that there could be a possibility. We spoke to his family, to his dad, to his people for a long time.
‘We were able to convince him to come here, to trust in us. We’re satisfied. He plays very free, as if he was on a school playground. He has a very high level. We dreamed that we could bring him here, and sometimes that gets fulfilled.’
Greenwood’s first opportunity to represent his new club will come after the international break, when Getafe take on last season’s Copa Del Rey finalists Osasuna in LaLiga.
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