Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been offered the chance to return to international football with Jamaica.
The 22-year-old, who is currently on loan at Spanish side Getafe, has not played for United or England since his arrest in January 2022 for attempted rape, controlling behaviour and assault.
Greenwood had all charges against him dropped last February and United had considered reintegrating him back into their squad before the club received major backlash from supporters over his return.
United’s new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, left now the door open for Greenwood’s return and has said a new decision will be made over the forward’s future at Old Trafford.
At international level, Greenwood has made just one senior appearance for England but is eligible to switch and play for Jamaica via his father, Andrew.
‘I really don’t like to talk about ‘what if’, but this, of course, has come to our mind,’ Jamaica head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson told The Athletic.
‘I would love to have him in my team. Like all coaches, I would like to have the best players in our team, but it’s always up to the player himself if he wants to do it.’
When asked if Greenwood’s past arrest could influence Jamaica’s decision, Hallgrimsson replied: ‘That will then be up to the Federation.
‘It’s not the coach who is going to answer for something like that. I’m not an expert in this.
‘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.
‘So 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.’
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