MASON Greenwood is set to make his footballing comeback in a debut for Getafe within days after impressing in training.
The ex-England striker has not kicked a ball professionally since January last year when he made his final appearance for Manchester United against West Ham United.
But despite only signing for the La Liga club in Spain in a transfer deadline day deal on loan ten days ago, Greenwood is expected to feature against Osasuna on September 17, next Sunday afternoon.
He has not played since he was arrested in January last year on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
He stayed suspended by United despite the Crown Prosecution Service announcing in February they were dropping all charges.
United and Greenwood jointly announced on August 21 he would be leaving the Old Trafford club, in what they called a “collaborative decision”.
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His move to Getafe was confirmed late on September 1, just before the English and Spanish summer transfer windows closed.
A source has now said: “Mason was very nervous about how he would be received by his new team-mates and his coaches but they have been very welcoming to him.
“He feels relaxed in their company and a couple of the Spanish lads have taken him under their wing.
“He can’t believe how well its gone and how quickly his life has changed.
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“He has been very very low at times while he was suspended by United and within the space of a few days he has fans chanting his name again.
“He was scared to walk down the street in England because he was worried he would be attacked or abused.
“In Spain, he’s able to wander around freely. He’s been able to concentrate 100 per cent on his football and want to get back to playing as soon as possible.”
“The coaching staff have been impressed with his sharpness and plan to throw him in as soon as they can.”
Greenwood has been joined in Spain by his partner Harriet Robson, also 21, and the couple are looking at houses in the capital Madrid.
It is unclear whether she will live in Spain with him or regularly visit with their baby.
The source added: “The Getafe Wags have also welcomed Harriet so they are both very happy with the move at the moment.”
Getafe have released multiple videos of Greenwood’s unveiling at the club on the outskirts of Madrid as well as others showing him training with his new colleagues.
The club’s president Ruben Reyes insisted the player’s arrival was “just the same” as their other signings despite critics calling the move “tone deaf”.
Greenwood’s Old Trafford exit had been welcomed by former England and United defender Gary Neville, but the Sky Sports pundit criticised the club for their “horrible” handling of the situation.
BBC’s Match Of The Day presenter and ex-Three Lions captain Gary Lineker called United’s move “inevitable and right”.
But women’s charities urged football clubs to do better when dealing with such situations.
Dedicated Red Devils fan Rachel Riley had threatened to no longer support United if they permitted Greenwood to come back.
The Channel 4’s Countdown co-host and Strictly Come Dancing contestant also accused the club of having “handled this appallingly”.
Greenwood’s last United appearance came in a 1-0 Premier League victory over West Ham United on January 22 last year.
The CPS charged him last October and he was scheduled to go on trial this November, until the case was withdrawn on February after alleged victim and 12 other witnesses declined to co-operate.
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Greenwood, born in Bradford in West Yorkshire, scored 35 goals in his 129 matches for United.
England manager Gareth Southgate brought him on as a late sub against Iceland in September 2020 for his only international appearance.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
