Mason Greenwoo (file photo)
‘Mason Greenwood is listed as a United player, but that does not give any indication to the outcome of their internal investigation’
By Valentine Amanze
Succour may have come the way of the troubled Manchester United attacker, Mason Greenwood, as the Premier League club management retains him among the players their services will propel the Red Devils to a new height in the 2023/24 season.
Though the attacker has not been cleared by the club’s internal investigation on the case, which the law court freed him recently, the non-inclussion of his name among those to be shown the exit door this summer is an indication that he will play for Manchester United again.
Recall that Manchester United Newsletter disclosed that Greenwood would be part of Erik ten Hag’s plan next season.
It stated: “Mason Greenwood is listed as a United player, but that does not give any indication to the outcome of their internal investigation.”
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However, the seven players to exit the club upon the expiration of their contracts include Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, while a number of youth team players had also been let go.
It was announced last month that Jones would not be having his contract renewed and would be free to leave the club after 12 years when his deal expires.
The 31-year-old has started two games in three years due to a knee problem. He did not train at all last season and was last visible in a session at Carrington on May 20.
He has started 16 times since signing a new contract in February 2019 and was substituted at half-time in five of them.
Tuanzebe has not played for United since the Europa League final in 2021. The 25-year-old suffered another injury-plagued year in 2022 and has just finished a four-month loan with Stoke City in the Championship, where he played just five times.
Northern Ireland midfielder Ethan Galbraith has also left the club. The 22-year-old spent last season on loan with League Two side, Salford, and is already being linked with moves to the Championship.
Galbraith’s only senior United appearance was against Astana in the Europa League group stage in November 2019.
United also released defender Di’Shon Bernard after opting against triggering his clause so that the defender is free to sign with a new club permanently this summer.
Academy goalkeeper, Eric Hanbury; forward Manni Norkett and midfielder Charlie Wellens are all leaving the club.
Manchester United also triggered their option of an additional year in Ethan Laird’s contract, but he could still be sold this summer after another mixed loan spell with Queens Park Rangers.
FA Youth Cup-winning captain Rhys Bennett has seen his contract extended, while academy forward Mateo Mejia has been offered a new deal.
Under-21s player-coach Tom Huddlestone is expected to remain at the club after discussions over a new contract.
The club has also exercised the option of extending Nathan Bishop and Tom Heaton’s contracts by an additional year.
But it is likely that the club’s first choice keeper, David de Gea, would be leaving Old Trafford as free agent.
He would be out of contract at the end of the month and is yet to sign a new deal.
The 32-year-old is technically out of contract in two weeks but was not named as one of the seven players set to be released by the club when their contracts expire.
United announced their retained list on Friday afternoon and, in it, De Gea was categorised as one of the players currently under contract, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
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