Manchester United successfully fended off interest from Borussia Dortmund in Mason Greenwood, according to ESPN.
Dortmund made the approach last summer for the United striker, and were instantly dismissed by the Red Devils.
The report states Greenwood’s future is ‘off the table’ as an option when it comes to negotiating over Jadon Sancho this summer.
United are hoping to sign Sancho from Dortmund, and are also battling with the German side over highly rated Birmingham youngster Jude Bellingham.
Crucial part of United’s future
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave Mason Greenwood his debut at the end of last season and handed him a prominent role in pre-season.
Goals against Leeds and Inter Milan proved he was ready, and had fans calling for him to start on the opening day of the campaign.
While Solskjaer backed off a little, opting to ease the young striker into the team slowly, his faith in Greenwood is unquestionable.
Greenwood has seized his chances when he has been given them, and currently sits on 13 first team goals this season, including five in the Europa League.
United have a special talent on our hands and it is good to hear the club have quickly shut down Dortmund’s interest, and that he will not be used as a negotiating chip this summer.
Sliding doors
Of course, if United had been open minded to agree a loan deal last summer to send Greenwood to Dortmund, a lot could have changed.
The club would have been forced into the market to buy a striker, rather than look to Greenwood.
United’s attempted move for Erling Haaland may have had more success, as Dortmund may not have seen him as such a big a priority short-term, if they had Greenwood.
Greenwood has had a big role at United overall considering his age, but in the Premier League he only has four starts this season. Could he have got more game time out on loan?
United will feel the right decision was made. We are where we are, and Greenwood has not been over-played, for his own good. Dortmund’s interest only reinforces what a special talent Greenwood is, given their own reputation for hand-picking the best young players in world football.
Now United have to get it right in terms of the next striker who signs, so not to block Greenwood’s development. The first priority should be to close the deal for Jadon Sancho.
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