Mason Greenwood update as 'disappointing' Man United reunion admission made

Mason Greenwood update as 'disappointing' Man United reunion admission made

Former Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood has enjoyed a positive start to the new season with Ligue 1 club Marseille

Former Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood (Image: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United assistant manager Steve McClaren has expressed his disappointment after Mason Greenwood chose not to join up with the Jamaica squad for this month's international break.

Greenwood and McClaren worked together at Old Trafford when the latter assisted Erik ten Hag. However, their working relationship was mainly off the pitch as the winger was suspended by the Reds in January 2022 amid allegations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.

All charges were later dropped and the winger would join Getafe on loan on deadline day in the summer of 2023. McClaren only rejoined United's coaching staff in July 2022.

Upon the expiry of his loan in Spain, Greenwood returned to Manchester where he was informed by the coaching team that he would be sold. The winger signed for Marseille in 2024 and excelled leading to some brief speculation that the 23-year-old could resume his England career.

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However, he was not in the plans of either Gareth Southgate nor Thomas Tuchel which has led Greenwood to explore his international options. McClaren, realising that Greenwood could switch allegiances to Jamaica, has been making an effort to bring him to the Caribbean.

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This idea was first pitched last season but progress has been limited. Now, ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago, McClaren has shed more light on the situation.

"He has acquired a passport and we expected him to be coming to this camp but after a conversation with his family, he’s not going to commit at this time to anybody," the former England head coach explained. "So, he’s taking his time over that.

"It’s a little bit disappointing. We probably have to be more patient.

"We will keep the contact. We’ll keep pursuing him because I know from my conversations with Mason, he loves Jamaica, respects Jamaica.

"He wants to concentrate on club football and not commit to an international team. At the present moment, we have to respect that however much we have worked hard to get him here for this camp.

"So, who knows in the future." Greenwood has started the new season with Marseille well, scoring once and assisting another two in the opening three fixtures.

Should he switch allegiances to Jamaica, Greenwood could potentially represent the country at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer. The 23-year-old has narrowly avoided a return to England this season in the Champions League after the draw was made last week.

Greenwood will come up against English opposition in the form of Newcastle and Liverpool during the league phase. The Premier League duo shall travel to France on November 25 and January 21, respectively.

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