Jamaica head coach admits he ‘would love’ to have Mason Greenwood in his squad and confirms talks over trying to convince the on-loan Man United forward to switch allegiance from England

Jamaica coach Heimir Hallgrimsson admitted he would “love” to have Mason Greenwood in his team as his national federation has discussed the possibility of trying to convince the striker.

Greenwood is eligible for selection due to his Jamaican heritage and has only played one senior match for England.

The 22-year-old’s only appearance was in a UEFA Nations League match in September 2020 against Finland, where he came on as a late substitute.

Greenwood was subsequently sent home for violating Covid-19 regulations.

He would be allowed to change nations under FIFA rules, which allow players to change allegiance if they have not played more than three competitive matches for a nation before turning 21.

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Hallgrimsson, who previously coached Iceland between 2013 and 2018, admitted he would love to add a player of Greenwood’s quality to his team.

“I don’t really like to talk about ‘what if’, but this, of course, comes to mind,” Hallgrimsson said. The Athletic.

“I would love to have him on my team. Like all coaches, I would like to have the best players on our team, but it always depends on the player himself if he wants to do it.”

Jamaica Football Federation general secretary Dennis Chung expressed similar interest in February last year, but Greenwood is believed to have turned down the opportunity to represent the country in the first instance.

Greenwood spent the season on loan at Spanish side Getafe and Man United “mutually agreed” on the decision to continue his career away from his boyhood club.

This came after the Red Devils concluded an internal investigation into their former academy player.

United began their review after rape and assault charges against the player were dropped in February 2023, and the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed the charges following the withdrawal of key witnesses.

Gareth Southgate is believed to have ruled Greenwood out for a subsequent England call-up, raising the possibility that he could continue his international career with Jamaica.

Hallgrimsson, who previously described the dropped charges as “baggage,” has suggested Greenwood deserves a “second chance.”

“I can only imagine what’s been going on,” Hallgrimsson said.

‘The case went through stages and was dismissed, so it’s not for me or anyone else to judge him on that.

“I am happy for the player’s return because it is probably a trauma. It is difficult to return, so at least I give him my support.”

Greenwood has scored seven goals in 25 games for Getafe this season and the club are reportedly interested in extending his stay beyond the end of the season.

New Man United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently hinted that he could return to the club after his loan spell, in contrast to the club’s commitment in the summer to force him to restart his career “away from Old Trafford”.