Mason Greenwood made a late move on transfer deadline day with the United striker joining La Liga side Getafe on a season-long loan.
Mason Greenwood is facing calls to be axed from his new Spanish team – just 24 hours after he signed.
The shamed star, 21, was loaned to Getafe after Manchester United ruled he would no longer play for them following an investigation into an alleged attempted rape. Spain’s leading domestic abuse charity on Saturday night called for him to be sent back to Britain, before he has even kicked a ball in La Liga.
Ana Bella Estévez, of the Ana Bella Foundation, said of Madrid based Getafe: “The club is setting a terrible example.”
“England striker Greenwood was dropped by United in January 2022. It followed the online leak of a disturbing audio tape of a man said to be of Greenwood. He was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault but the CPS dropped the case in February. He never returned to the pitch with United, and a mooted return sparked a huge backlash among fans including TV present Rachel Riley”.
Ms Estevez told us: “Getafe executives should never have hired Mason Greenwood and should immediately overturn their decision”.
“If you’re a public facing organization like Getafe there is no excuse to take a neutral stance on violence against women – you must take moral responsibility.”
Her plea comes days after Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales was suspended for kissing Spain star Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the nation’s World Cup celebrations.
In a statement confirming Greenwood’s move to the Spanish side, United simply said: “Mason Greenwood has signed for La Liga side Getafe on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance. The move enables Greenwood to begin to rebuild his career away from Manchester United.”
United chiefs also pledged to keep contact with the one-cap England international, adding: “The club will continue to offer its support to Mason and his family during this period of transition.”
The 21-year-old had made 129 appearances for United and scored 35 goals before he was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in January 2022. That subsequently saw him suspended by the Red Devils. Those charges were then dropped.
Greenwood currently has one cap to his name after making his England debut in September 2020 under Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions boss was asked about Greenwood’s future during his latest squad announcement and confirmed that the striker was not being considered for the time being. Speaking in a press conference, he said: “It’s clearly a very complex case. He’s not playing so it’s not a consideration for us. It’s hypothetical. Whatever I say will be used in a less nuanced fashion frankly.”