Manchester United 'are likely to extend Mason Greenwood's contract'

Manchester United are reportedly likely to trigger an extension clause in Mason Greenwood's contract to preserve his transfer value - even if the striker has no desire to return to Old Trafford.

Greenwood, 22, currently on loan at Spanish club Getafe, is contracted to United until 2025. However, his deal includes an option to extend that by a further 12 months.

The extension would prevent the forward leaving United for nothing in the summer of 2025 and boost their chances of recouping a significant fee for him.

A report by The Athletic says Getafe, who wish to keep Greenwood either permanently or on another season-long loan, believe United have already triggered the one-year extension clause.

They say the LaLiga club have come away from talks with United with the understanding Greenwood's contract will run until 2026.

Preserving Greenwood's market value and preventing him leaving for nothing next year will benefit Getafe, who have a 20 per cent sell-on clause in their loan deal.

This was inserted to compensate Getafe for offering Greenwood the chance to play in a top league late in last summer's window after he'd not played competitively in over 18 months.

His move to Spain was controversial despite charges of rape, assault and coercive control being dropped against the player by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023. Greenwood denied all the allegations against him.

After an internal club investigation, the decision was taken to send Greenwood out on loan.

The expectation at the time was that Greenwood would never play for United again, but new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe opened the door for a potential return after completing his purchase of a 27.7 per cent stake in the club in December.

'It's clear we have to make a decision,' Ratcliffe said.

'The process will be to understand the facts, not the hype, and then try to come to a fair decision based on value - is he a good guy or not - and answer whether he could play sincerely for Manchester United well and would we be comfortable with it and would the fans be comfortable with it?'

Reports in late February suggested Greenwood has 'no great desire' to play for United again and is 'reluctant' to return to Old Trafford. It was said Greenwood feels the club 'could have supported him better' over his case.

Greenwood has found good form in Spain, scoring eight goals and contributing five assists for Getafe in 28 matches this season.

While they would like him to stay, Getafe believe that Greenwood wants to play in the Champions League next season. They may yet qualify for the Europa League but it looks unlikely.

If United do not trigger the one-year contract extension, they'd have to sell Greenwood this summer to recoup his full transfer value.

He'd be able to speak to overseas clubs next January and potential suitors would likely hold back until the summer of 2025, knowing he'd be available for nothing.

Triggering the extension until 2026 would increase United's prospects of getting a significant sum for the forward.

As Greenwood is a product of their own academy, any transfer fee would go down as pure profit, helping them meet the financial fair play rules set by UEFA and the Premier League.