Mason Greenwood given Man United lifeline despite Marseille transfer?

The 22-year-old officially left the Red Devils last week after Marseille agreed to pay a fixed fee of €26m (£21.9m) for the forward, with an additional €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons.

Greenwood spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Spanish outfit Getafe, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists in 36 appearances for the La Liga club across all competitions.

The forward made the temporary switch to Getafe last summer after charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were all dropped in February 2023.

Greenwood returned to Old Trafford earlier this month and allegedly held talks with the club's hierarchy over how to facilitate an exit from the Red Devils after being deemed surplus to requirements.

A host of top European clubs were credited with an interest in the Englishman, but Ligue 1 side Marseille have won the race for his signature, with the forward penning a long-term contract until 2029.

Greenwood has departed his boyhood club Man United after playing 129 times for the first team in all tournaments, including his final appearance in January 2022 in a 1-0 EFL Cup win over West Ham United.

Erik ten Hag's side are understood to have included a 50% sell-on clause in the agreement with Marseille, while a separate clause has seemingly left the door open for Greenwood to potentially return to Old Trafford in the future.

According to The Telegraph, the Red Devils also have buy-back option in the agreement with Marseille, something that is claimed to be commonplace in the modern era when negotiating the sale of an academy player.

What are the chances of Greenwood returning to Man United?

The report adds that there is no expectation or intention of Greenwood returning to Man United in the future, stating that if the secret clause signifies the door remaining slightly open, it is 'very much the slimmest of cracks'.

Greenwood is keen to begin a fresh chapter in his career with Marseille, although his transfer to the French club is perceived as somewhat controversial amid the aforementioned charges that were levelled against him.

Prior to confirmation of Greenwood's arrival, the major of Marseille publicly urged the city's football club not to sign the Englishman, as he 'does not want the club to be covered in shame'.

Meanwhile, Marseille's new head coach Roberto De Zerbi has promised to 'publicly defend' Greenwood, who will wear the No.10 shirt for the Ligue 1 club next season.