Category: Sports

12

Mason Greenwood’s good form for Getafe this season has brought him back from the doldrums of being unwanted.

Last summer, Manchester United, after a U-turn with less-than-ideal optics, were just eager to get their hands off of Greenwood and sent him to Getafe.

Fast forward six months, and not only is the player reportedly wanted by multiple clubs across Europe, but the demand for him on the international scene seems to be growing too.

Of course, it remains unlikely that Greenwood ever plays for England, also a part of the reason why United were so quick to send him off since the opposition to his potential reinstatement was deafening.

However, that does not mean Greenwood’s international career is done, not if Jamaica have their way.

Heimir Hallgrimsson, the Head Coach of Jamaica, has revealed that he has spoken to the on-loan Getafe forward about a potential switch to the Caribbean nation.

Greenwood is eligible to represent Jamaica through his father, Andrew, while his solitary cap for England means he’s eligible for a switch under FIFA regulations.

Hallgrimsson said that he wants the best players to play for the national team and since charges against the player have been dropped, there is no reason to doubt him.

In perhaps the most unequivocal support of the player to date, the Head Coach said the player has suffered a lot of “trauma” coming back and said people who have “sinned” themselves should not “throw the first stone”.

He said: “I would love to have him in my team. Like all coaches, I would like to have the best players in our team.

“I just look at the person. I think what he has gone through in the year and a half since it happened is worse than I can imagine, being in the press and on social media. I can only imagine what he has been going through. The case went through stages and the case was dropped, so it’s not up to me or anyone else to judge him on that.

“It was no less a person than Jesus Christ who said, those who are without sin should throw the first stone. Whatever happened, everybody at least deserves a second chance. And he knows that all eyes are on him.

“It’s a big pressure and I am happy for the player that he is coming back because it is probably a trauma. It’s difficult to come (back) from, so I give him my support at least. He must have a strong mentality to start to play again and start to play so well.”

Greenwood would undoubtedly appreciate these words but a return to the international scene is likely to be very low down on his list of priorities.

A crucial summer awaits for both, Greenwood and United, especially after Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to close the door on his potential return at Old Trafford.

26

Manchester United succumbed to a much superior Manchester City 1-3 on Sunday with the result only emphasising the gulf in quality that exists between the two teams currently.

Marcus Rashford actually gave the visitors the lead after a stunning long-range strike from a wonderful bit of play from skipper Bruno Fernandes in the build-up.

The Portuguese was given a free role and while it was a difficult evening for the team, the Portuguese never gave up and kept nagging away.

While it did not bear fruits in the Manchester derby, his persistence did pay off in United’s previous game against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup where he registered an assist for a 90th minute winner from Casemiro.

Bruno, the skipper

The Portugal international’s stint as captain has not been too lucky for his team but his hard work can never be discounted. It is something that an under-pressure Rashford can learn from.

The former Sporting Lisbon star took the armband from Harry Maguire in the summer and has constantly lead from the front with his performances while also never missing a game due to injury.

He understands the weight of the famous red shirt and his passion is easily discernible. But that often times, leads to trouble with the referees and opposition players.

He was targeted by Forest and even the subject of violent conduct from Felipe in the FA Cup tie but the referee never bothered to book the offender.

His injury was mocked by Fulham on social media which prompted Ten Hag to demand an apology which refused to be forthcoming.

During his appearance on Overlap, former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked about the attacking midfielder and whether he showed an inclination for the captain’s armband during his time.

The Norwegian had brought him to the club and managed to wring out the two most productive seasons in terms of goals in the 29-year-old’s career but never gave him the captaincy.

Ole on captaincy

It was clear back then as well that he did care a lot for the club but Solskjaer was wary of Fernandes’ reputation getting in the way.

“I knew Bruno Fernandes had captain qualities when I was manager at Manchester United,” he said.

“He’s got the personality and quality – but he knows and I’ve told him – that he’s too passionate at times and he loses a bit of control. I loved Harry Maguire as a captain, he was the leader in that group for me when I was at the club.”

Fans will remember Fernandes coming to Solskjaer’s rescue after the game against Watford which would signal the end of the Treble winner’s managerial stint at Old Trafford.

It was a sensible call but Fernandes has always led from the front on the pitch and given Maguire’s stock dropping last season, it was only a matter of time before the armband was given to the Portuguese star.

8

With Rasmus Hojlund absent, Erik ten Hag fielded a lineup with four midfielders against Manchester City on Sunday.

However, for the best part of 90 minutes at the Etihad, Manchester United seemed as if they were playing with a man short in the middle of the park, as the Red Devils lethargically chased City players in hopes of having a feel of the ball.

At the full-time whistle, the hosts ended the game with 73% possession, which underlined their sheer dominance in the 3-1 derby triumph.

Had United midfielders displayed more energy out of possession and composure with the ball at their feet, they could’ve hurt City more and made their players chase the ball, for a change.

In particular, Casemiro was once again chasing shadows and did little to help his side evade pressure when he had the ball. It has been apparent all season that the 32-year-old is no longer the same midfield force who had shielded Real Madrid’s backline on his own.

It’d be best for everyone to cut ties with the Brazilian come the end of the season. Fortunately for United, the player has some suitors in the transfer market.

According to Fabrizio Romano, clubs from Saudi Arabia are keeping an eye on the five-time Champions League winner. He added that around October of 2023, “some calls to intermediaries” took place to understand his situation.

It remains to be seen if they will return and make a proposal for him this summer.

In the same report, the Italian journalist shed light on United’s search for a midfield replacement. It is claimed that the Premier League giants have scouted Benfica wonderkid João Neves.

The 19-year-old is one of the most sought-after talents in European football, having impressed several clubs with his midfield exploits in the Liga Portugal as well as the Champions League.

Neves is an electric presence in the middle of the park, and someone who doesn’t shy away from asking for the ball in any situation.

His release clause is set at €120m, and as per Romano, Benfica will insist on the release clause being triggered.

Manchester City are also thought to be monitoring his situation, but so far, no club has knocked on Benfica’s door to start a negotiation. As things stand, the race for his signature remains open.

Replacing Casemiro with someone like Neves, who’s comfortable playing as the deepest midfielder, could potentially take United’s midfield pivot to the next level. Having said that, it’s tough to see INEOS spend €120m on signing just one player this summer amid financial fair play concerns.

4

Manchester United’s new CEO, Omar Berrada, has already been holding clandestine meetings in preparation for his new role at Old Trafford.

The former Manchester City employee has been on gardening leave ever since it was announced in January that he would be crossing the city divide.

The Moroccan was the first appointment of the INEOS era and they have swiftly moved onto trying to prise Dan Ashworth away from Newcastle, but they have run into compensation issues.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe also aims to attract Dougie Freedman and Jason Wilcox to Old Trafford to complete the structural revolution.

The British billionaire has already commented that Berrada left City on good terms and that the two clubs dealt with the matter in a very “grown up” way.

Technically, City’s former chief football operations officer cannot officially perform any role for United until his leave is up in the summer but he can start preparations for the role.

Consequently, The Manchester Evening News has reported that “incoming Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada is already holding meetings with external contacts ahead of officially starting the role in the summer.”

“It is understood he has held clandestine meetings that some senior figures at United have been unaware of. Berrada is keen to maintain working relationships with those he dealt with when he was the chief football operations officer at City.”

The former Barcelona man will have a huge say in the future of the Red Devils, as it has already been revealed by Ratcliffe that he will influence the style of football the club will follow on a long-term basis.

This is a huge departure from the past where managers in the Old Trafford hotseat have usually enjoyed total control of how they want to set their team up, with limited success in the post-Ferguson era.

INEOS hope that by creating a detailed, yet logical background structure, the club’s chaotic days of switching from a possession-obsessed side under Louis van Gaal to a defensive counter attacking outfit with Jose Mourinho at the helm, will never happen again.

The Peoples Person has already relayed that Berrada has been busy “holding meetings with senior club executives”, as he awaits his new position to begin at the end of the current season.