Manchester United loan for Mason Greenwood would show what club is really afraid of

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United are considering sending Mason Greenwood on loan. It’s not the savvy move the club might consider it to be.

 The Mail report Manchester United are considering a middle-ground option of sending Mason Greenwood on loan next season.

This is the in-between scenario, from two extremes. At one end of the scale, Manchester United release Greenwood. At the other end, United re-integrate him, and deal with the PR fallout.

While the newspaper report a loan would allow United to assess Greenwood’s form and fitness from afar, we have a more cynical view of the reasons.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24

Mason Greenwood loan is a business decision

Manchester United are dealing with a complex situation. While Mason Greenwood faces no charges after his arrest, many fans feel he should never play for the club again.

The Mail previously describe Manchester United as ‘grappling with a difficult ethical, human, commercial and financial dilemma’.

A loan deal would see United really focus on the financial aspect.

What you really want in this situation, is for Manchester United to have a strong stance.

The club should either tell us all why Mason Greenwood should be backed, and do it wholeheartedly, or send him on his way, and release him from his contract, which runs for another two years.

A loan move for a year is simply a financial decision. United can find a club to share or pay his wages, instead of having to pay him off.

And then, at the end of his loan, if he successfully rehabilitates himself abroad, Manchester United can sell him in 2024 for £20-30 million and have some control over his future, where he goes.

What Manchester United fear the most, is that Mason Greenwood’s wondrous football ability rises to the surface, and the club end up regretting giving him away for nothing.

That shouldn’t be the case, because taking a moral stance is one the club should be proud of, if they believe it is the right decision to terminate Greenwood’s contract and let him move on.

United fear Greenwood pitching up at a rival, and going onto become one of the country’s best footballers once again. But that is the type of regret you have to live with, if you are confident you are making the right choice.

A loan would show up United’s indecision when strong leadership is needed. Make a firm decision now, as uncomfortable as it may be, one way or another.

The club may feel entitled to view Greenwood as an asset and get money for him, after the amount spent on his wages over the past 18 months.

But it feels unpleasant for the club to send him out on loan with a view to cashing in a fee for him next summer, once he has been in the shop window for a year.

The right halfway decision? Perhaps some would say it is. But it would show how scared Manchester United are of getting the big call wrong.

READ MORE:

• Mason Greenwood comments after charges dropped
• Manchester United status on Greenwood training, playing
• Mason Greenwood salary and contract length