Man Utd may sanction Mason Greenwood return as Jim Ratcliffe handed chance to save £60m

Manchester United reportedly may green-light Mason Greenwood’s return this summer if they aren’t satisfied with the transfer offers on the table. While Sir Jim Ratcliffe risks a repeat of last year’s backlash by sanctioning that decision, it could save him at least £60million in a transfer window where funds will be tight.

United are expected to be limited by restrictions imposed by Financial Fair Play and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Reports claim they can afford a net spend of around £100m, which will require funds generated from player sales to boost the budget.

Greenwood will be in the shop window after an impressive season-long loan at La Liga club Getafe, where he has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 31 appearances.

However, United are set to trigger a 12-month extension in his contract until July 2026, meaning they won’t be at risk of losing him on a free transfer if no suitable permanent offers arrive this summer.

According to The Times, United will demand between £30m and £40m for the 22-year-old forward amid heavyweight interest in England, Italy and Spain.

But it’s claimed that if their asking price isn’t met, Greenwood could stay put if Ratcliffe’s new-look sporting hierarchy deems it as the correct move.

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Earlier this year, reports suggested that Ratcliffe and INEOS had identified Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise as a priority target at the start of their rebuild.

Olise is expected to depart Selhurst Park after snubbing a £35m switch to Chelsea last summer.

But he signed a new contract following the Blues’ failed swoop, which will see his asking price sky-rocket.

BBC report Palace won’t entertain offers below £60m for the 22-year-old winger. That could price United out of a move, considering there are more pressing areas to address in Erik ten Hag’s squad.

Greenwood’s return would likely prove unpopular, the level that forced ex-chief executive Richard Arnold to perform a late U-turn after planning to reintegrate him last summer.

But Ratcliffe has reiterated his intentions to take a ruthless approach to restoring United’s status at the summit of world football.

Anything that will financially benefit his rebuild project is bound to appeal, so while United hope to find a buyer for Greenwood this summer, it’s no surprise they won’t accept a cut-price offer.

The Carrington academy graduate is one of several players set to be under the microscope in what Ratcliffe plans to be a transformative off-season.