Sir Jim Ratcliffe pushing for Mason Greenwood’s return to Manchester United

• Mason Greenwood’s return to Manchester United is quickly shaping up
• The 23-year-old is currently playing for Getafe CF in La Liga on loan from Old Trafford
• His absence from the team has been felt

Mason Greenwood’s return to Manchester United is quickly shaping up with the club’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aggressively pushing for his return.

The 23-year-old is currently playing for Getafe CF in La Liga on loan from Old Trafford. His wish was to return to United after his acquittal in r@pe case he had been battling since 2022.

His absence from the team has been felt and a section of fans have always asked the Red Devils to bring him back.

Mason Greenwood’s Return to Manchester United

Sir Jim Ratcliff is gunning for Greenwood’s return to Old Trafford. The British billionaire is the founder and chairman of the chemical giant INEOS.

He currently owns a 27.7% stake in Manchester United. This makes him the second-largest shareholder in the club, behind the Glazer family who retain majority ownership.

However, his minority stake puts him in charge of the club’s football operations which include buying new players.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Ratcliffe says that they will have to re-evaluate Greenwood’s situation and look at facts.

Mason Greenwood started his career at Manchester United. Photo/ Sportzwiki.

The INEOS billionaire is ready to make a new decision regarding Greenwood and his return to Old Trafford.

“It’s a new decision to make for us. He’s Man United player. We need to look at facts, judge fairly and take into consideration what the values of the club are. Then we come out of that with a decision on Greenwood,” Ratcliffe stated.

Will Sir Jim Ratcliffe Change Manchester United?

Football pundits are optimistic that United will get a new look with Ratcliffe running all football operations. The club’s fans have been up in arms in the past castigating The Glazers family for running down the club and refusing to sell it.

However, Ratcliffe appears to be the voice of reason in the once glorious team and he has said as much. He believes bringing back talents such as Greenwood will restore Manchester United’s faded glory.

“Winning matches and trophies, that is what Manchester United is about,” he said.  It’s the biggest, the greatest and the most well-known football club in the world”.

“This is not a financial investment. It’s because I want to see #MUFC successful again”.

Ratcliffe completed the purchase of 25% of Class A and Class B shares in Manchester United for £1.3 billion. He then invested an additional £158.5 million for further Class A and Class B shares, increasing his ownership to 27.7%.

He is committed to investing another £79.2 million by December 31, 2024, which will see his ownership rise to 28.9%.

His minority stake ownership gives him control over crucial football operations such as recruitment of players, transfer and team management.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Photo/beINSport

The 71-year-old British mogul has emphasized his commitment to investing in infrastructure, including upgrades to Old Trafford stadium.

This, he believes, will motivate players and all United staff. Underwhelming facilities at Old Trafford have in the past demotivated players among them, Cristiano Ronaldo who laid it all bare before his unceremonious exit in November 2022.

Why Did Mason Greenwood Leave Manchester United?

Manchester United and Mason Greenwood announced a mutual agreement for the young forward to leave the club, ending his 17-year association with the Red Devils.

This decision came after a lengthy internal investigation into allegations of attempted r@pe, assault, and coercive behaviour levelled against the English footballer in January 2022.

The Red Devils suspended him pending the completion of trial and investigations into the allegations. The club pulled down every merchandise associated with Greenwood and Nike cut ties with him.

Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike-sponsored athlete. Photo/Soccer Bible

While the Crown Prosecution Service ultimately dropped the charges in February 2023 due to withdrawn witnesses and new evidence, Manchester United remained committed to conducting their own inquiry. This probe, led by senior club officials, concluded that it would be “most appropriate” for Greenwood to continue his career elsewhere.

The statement released by the club acknowledged the seriousness of the initial allegations and emphasized that “respect for its values is fundamental to its culture.”

While no details of the internal investigation were disclosed, the decision reportedly followed extensive discussions with legal advisors and stakeholders.

Greenwood expressed his gratitude to the club for his time at Manchester United, stating that “a new chapter in my life will open.”

This decision generated mixed reactions. Some fans commend the club for prioritizing values over potential commercial benefits, while others express disappointment at losing a talented young player.