GETAFE’S manager has U-turned on his claim that Jude Bellingham advised Mason Greenwood to move to Spain.
Manchester United outcast Greenwood made his Getafe loan debut on Sunday, three months after former England team-mate Bellingham joined Real Madrid.
APMason Greenwood made a late debut as sub for Getafe vs Osasuna[/caption]
Getafe chief Jose Bordalas says Greenwood and Bellingham both ‘clarified’ the situation to himAP
And Jose Bordalas now admits he was wrong to suggest a key role in the striker’s move was played by the new Bernabeu hero.
Greenwood received a mostly positive reception when he came on after 77 minutes at home to Osasuna.
Visiting supporters, however, appeared to jeer him.
And according to The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai, they also chanted “Greenwood die”.
But having come on at 2-2, it was Greenwood’s shot that earned a corner from which Serbia midfielder Nemanja Maksimovic hit Getafe’s winner.
And afterwards Bordalas revealed Bellingham, 20, and his old Three Lions’ colleague have both put him right over the hitman’s transfer.
The Spaniard stated: “I had said that Mason Greenwood came to Getafe because he had spoken with Jude Bellingham.
“They have clarified to me it was not the case.”
That’s a reversal of what the 59-year-old told Spanish sports station RadioMarca earlier in the week.
Speaking of his joy at the transfer, Bordalas said then: “It was a surprise, we never thought we could get a player like that.
“But they got in touch with our sporting director [Ruben Reyes], we talked, we didn’t think it could happen but both sides made an effort [financially].
New Real hero Bellingham was an England team-mate of GreenwoodRex
“Greenwood is friends with Bellingham, and he advised him to come to the Spanish league.”
Before Sunday, the Red Devils academy product had not played since January 2022, when he started United’s 1-0 home win over West Ham.
The club suspended Greenwood after he was arrested later that year.
He was charged with a string of offences including attempted rape. However, the CPS dropped the charges in February 2023.
United’s internal investigation into Greenwood finished in August with the club concluding that he would not play for them.
The statement said: “All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.
“It has therefore been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.”