Manchester United ‘are likely to extend Mason Greenwood’s contract’ even if the forward has ‘no desire’ to return to Old Trafford after his Getafe loan spell

Manchester United are reportedly likely to activate an extension clause in Mason Greenwood’s contract to preserve his transfer value, even if the striker does not wish to return to Old Trafford.

Greenwood, 22, currently on loan at Spanish club Getafe, has a contract with United until 2025. However, his deal includes an option to extend it for a further 12 months.

The extension would prevent the forward from leaving United for nothing in the summer of 2025 and would increase their chances of recovering a significant fee for him.

a report of The Athletic Says Getafe, who want to keep Greenwood permanently or on loan for another season, believe United have already activated the one-year extension clause.

They say the LaLiga club emerged from talks with United on the understanding that Greenwood’s contract will last until 2026.

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Preserving Greenwood’s market value and preventing him from leaving for free next year will benefit Getafe, who have a 20 per cent sell-on clause in their loan contract.

This was inserted to compensate Getafe for offering Greenwood the opportunity to play in a major league late in last summer’s window after he had not played competitively in over 18 months.

His move to Spain was controversial despite the UK Crown Prosecution Service dropping charges of rape, assault and coercive control against the player in February 2023. Greenwood denied all allegations against him.

After an internal club investigation, the decision was made to loan Greenwood.

The expectation at the time was that Greenwood would never play for United again, but new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe opened the door to a possible return after completing the purchase of a 27.7 per cent stake in the club in December.

“It’s clear we have to make a decision,” Ratcliffe said.

“The process will be about understanding the facts, not the hype, and then trying to come to a fair decision based on value (is he a good guy or not) and answering whether he could play well honestly at Manchester United and whether we would be Are you comfortable with that and would the fans be comfortable with that?

Reports in late February suggested that Greenwood has “no great desire” to play for United again and is “reluctant” to return to Old Trafford. Greenwood was said to feel the club “could have supported him better” in his case.

Greenwood has found good form in Spain, scoring eight goals and contributing five assists for Getafe in 28 games this season.

Although they would like him to stay, Getafe believe Greenwood wants to play in the Champions League next season. They may still qualify for the Europa League, but it seems unlikely.

If United do not activate the one-year contract extension, they would have to sell Greenwood this summer to recoup the full value of his transfer.

He could speak to foreign clubs next January and potential suitors would probably hold off until the summer of 2025, knowing he would be available for nothing.

Activating the extension until 2026 would increase United’s prospects of securing a significant sum for the striker.

As Greenwood is a product of their own academy, any transfer fee would be considered pure profit, which would help them comply with the financial fair play rules set by UEFA and the Premier League.