Mason Greenwood: Man Utd loanee targeted by chants on Getafe debut as apology made over Bellingham claim

Mason Greenwood was the subject of chants calling for him ‘to die’ from visiting fans as he made his Getafe debut in a 3-2 win over Osasuna on Sunday.

The 21-year-old made the loan move to La Liga on deadline day after Manchester United announced last month it was mutually agreed for the player to continue his career away from Old Trafford.

Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022 but in February of this year the Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges were dropped after the withdrawal of key witnesses. The player had denied the charges against him.

United commenced their own investigation after the CPS case did not continue. The club concluded last month: “Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged.”

Greenwood won the corner from which Getafe scored their 86th-minute winner on Sunday with his new coach José Bordalás admitting he was “pleasantly surprised” by the player’s display after coming on as a 77th-minute substitute. It was his first competitive appearance since being suspended by United 19 months ago.

After his introduction, some of the visiting supporters - according to widespread reports - chanted “Greenwood, muérete!”, which translates to ‘Greenwood, die.’ La Liga is expected to open an investigation into the chanting. The Athletic reports LaLiga’s official match observer heard the chants with a disciplinary process expected to be opened.

Bordalás apologised for a “misunderstanding” after the game after he mistakenly claimed England international and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham had convinced Greenwood to make the move to Spain.

“Mason is a great player, we have a lot of trust in him and I think it will be very positive for Getafe and for Spanish football,” he said.

“I only talk about the sporting side of things. Today what I take with me is the expectation of the fans, because he is a great player. We are happy [with him]. He has integrated well, taking into account how little time he has been here. It’s true that the language is a handicap but we are helping him a lot.

“He is taking lessons with a teacher and we are trying to accelerate his Spanish. His behaviour has been very good. He comes with enthusiasm and the desire to improve.”