Manchester United supporters have been warned over a potential "bad sign" involving Mason Greenwood and the future of the club.
Greenwood, 22, is currently on loan at Spanish club Getafe, after joining them in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
It followed a decision by United that the forward would continue his career away from Old Trafford.
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Greenwood was suspended by United in January 2022 after being arrested and later charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and assault.
All charges against Greenwood were dropped in February after key witnesses withdrew their involvement in the case and new material came to light during the police investigation.
In a club statement released in August, United announced that an internal investigation into Greenwood's behaviour found that he "did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged" but also confirmed he would leave Old Trafford – initially on a season-long loan.
Greenwood has since scored three goals and provided three assists in 10 appearances in all competitions for Getafe this season.
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The Sun claim the Spanish club are keen to sign the forward on a permanent deal and are ready to enter negotiations with United.
However, rumours have circulated online which claim that Greenwood could potentially return to United at the end of his loan spell.
It comes after Paul Mitchell – who has been tipped to become Manchester United's new sporting director under Sir Jim Ratcliffe – was spotted watching Greenwood at Getafe.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs believes it is unlikely Greenwood will play for United again and claims it would be a "bad sign" if Mitchell was sent to scout the player before officially joining United.
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"If Manchester United's position is genuine, Mason Greenwood will never play for the football club again," Jacobs told GiveMeSport.
"So it would be a little strange that a guy linked with a sporting director role before he's even started, goes out to Getafe to watch Greenwood, potentially even speak to Greenwood, unless Manchester United have changed their position.
"Of course, the sporting director also deals with outgoings, so Manchester United do feel a responsibility to resolve Greenwood's long-term future but, anybody connecting Greenwood back to United has to be aware that the review and the club position now is that he'll never play for Manchester United again, regardless of football form.
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"Therefore, if Mitchell's first task is to somehow handle the Greenwood situation before he's even joined, that would be extremely atypical and in many ways a bad sign.
"Because you want process, you want structure, you want transparency. And this would be the opposite, by getting somebody to go out there before they've even begun to involve themselves in something with no clarity before, before Ratcliffe even has legally any kind of sporting control."
Topics: Football, Mason Greenwood, Manchester United, Getafe, La Liga, Transfers, Premier League