BREAKING NEWS: Since departing from Manchester United, I have not felt like myself. This is my childhood club, and I desire to return; but, the fan base is complicating this aspiration. Mason Greenwood has disclosed his intention to return to Old Trafford during a recent interview.
Mason Greenwood has allegedly finalised the requisite documentation to change his international affiliation from England to Jamaica.
Greenwood, 23, is eligible to represent the Caribbean nation via his paternal grandparents. FIFA regulations let the player to transfer allegiance as he participated in only one competitive match for the Three Lions. Gareth Southgate awarded Greenwood his senior England debut as a second-half replacement in a Nations League encounter against Iceland in September 2020.
At the time, such an appearance would have rendered Greenwood ineligible to represent another national team. However, curiously, two weeks later, FIFA’s annual congress sanctioned a rule modification to render its criteria less stringent for players who participated in fewer than four competitive matches for a national team prior to reaching the age of 21.
The mandatory three-year waiting period for a player to change eligibility concluded in early September 2023. Sixteen months later, the Daily Star claims that Greenwood has changed his international allegiance.
The Football Association has reportedly informed the player that he would no longer be considered for selection by England. Manchester United suspended Greenwood in January 2022 following his arrest on allegations of rape.
Nine months later, he was indicted for attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault resulting in actual bodily harm. The Marseille forward refuted the allegations, which were later dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Getafe acquired the player on a season-long loan last season, and then, this summer, he departed the club permanently to join Marseille. The forward now seems to have switched national teams as well.
Steve McClaren, the former assistant coach of United, assumed the role of head coach for Jamaica this summer and disclosed during his introduction that he had a discussion with Greenwood at Carrington prior to their departures from the club. Greenwood’s decision facilitates a reunion with the former United assistant, and both will now aspire for success with the Jamaica national team.