A dark cloud has been from Manchester United. After all the charges were dropped against Mason Greenwood, United have decided that his future lies away from the club after intense public backlash about his potential reintegration.
Mason Greenwood’s statement on the matter also shows he’s now focused on having a good career in football, even though it won’t be at United.
Here are three potential options for Mason Greenwood’s next club.
Atalanta
A sweetener for selling Rasmus Hojlund to United, perhaps?
Atalanta have signed El-Bilal Toure as his replacement but a fully-fit and firing Greenwood is another tier of player entirely. Sending Greenwood Atalanta would serve the key purpose.
Greenwood would also be away from the glare at Old Trafford. It will undoubtedly follow him now throughout his career due to the evidence present in the public court, but rehabilitation away from familiar grounds will be the way to go.
Some reports have announced that terms have already been agreed, although their reliability is unclear at this point.
I have been told that Mason Greenwood has reached an agreement with Atalanta. He will be in Bergamo on Tuesday. He has said no to Juventus to join Atalanta. pic.twitter.com/gUcgrKTUya
— Atalanta BC News (@AtalantaBC_News) July 7, 2023
Still, the optics- financial and sporting- work in this deal.
AS Roma
The Jose Mourinho connection means that pretty much any wantaway United player will be linked to AS Roma at one point or another.
The Portuguese has found his groove after a dull few years in management and his association with Roma has revitalised both the manager and the club.
However, this summer, Roma are embroiled in Financial Fair Play concerns. Free transfers have ruled the roost and some attacking reinforcements are needed.
Paulo Dybala is not a conventional striker and Tammy Abraham misses far too many chances for an elite number 9. Roma regularly underperformed their xG last season and could have been much more successful if they were clinical.
A match-fit Greenwood would provide that in abundance. A transfer would provide the Roman club with a fix for their issues at a minuscule price.
Of course, the optics question would be at the forefront of any deal for Greenwood. However, Mourinho’s cult of personality at Roma is so strong that if he backs the player, the fans will too.
Juventus
The Old Lady complete the Serie A sweep for Mason Greenwood’s next club options. Juventus might lose Dusan Vlahovic this summer which would leave a huge hole in the No 9 position.
They’ve signed Arkadiusz Milik from Olympique Marseille but over a long season, they need more.
In Greenwood, they would get a capable backup to Milik, and with improved match fitness, he might even supplant him as the first choice.
Massimiliano Allegri’s defence-first system needs a clinical striker who will make the most of the few high-quality chances the team will create every game.
Greenwood would provide that while barely making a dent in their finances. The People’s Person also reported earlier about Juventus’ links with him.
As always, the disclaimer to any deal for Greenwood would be the court of public opinion. United have made the final decision but that doesn’t mean his image in the public is cleaned up. At Juventus, he wouldn’t even be playing in European competitions which means a somewhat reduced spotlight.
As unfortunate as it might be for a section of supporters, a permanent departure was the only way United could have taken this matter and with this episode now in the background, Erik ten Hag and Co will be hoping to move forward with clarity.