Former Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClallen has expressed his disappointment after Mason Greenwood refused to join the Jamaican team for this month’s international break. Greenwood and McClallen had a working relationship at Old Trafford when the latter supported Eric Teng Hug.
However, their collaboration was primarily off-pitch as Greenwood was interrupted by the Reds in January 2022 following allegations of attempted rape, assault, control and forced action. All charges were rejected by Greenwood and then fell afterwards before moving to Getafe on loan on the summer deadline of 2023. McClallen returned to United’s coaching staff in July 2022.
After the loan spell in Spain ended, Greenwood returned to Manchester, and the coaching team said he would be sold. The Winger then signed Marseille in 2024, spouting brief speculation that the 23-year-old might revive his English career.
However, neither Gareth Southgate nor Thomas Touchel included him in their plans, leading Greenwood to consider his international options. McClallen recognizes that Greenwood can switch his loyalty to Jamaica and is about to lure him into the Caribbean.
This idea was first proposed last season, but progress was slow. Currently, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers for Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago, McClallen offers more insight into the situation.
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“He got his passport and we were hoping he would come to this camp, but after a conversation with his family he is not going to commit to anyone at this time,” the former England head coach explained. “So he’s taking more time than that.
“That’s a bit disappointing. Maybe we have to be more patient. We will continue to contact. I will continue to follow him because I know from my conversation with Mason, he loves Jamaica and respects Jamaica.
“He’s focused on club football and doesn’t want to commit to an international team. At this point, he has to respect him even if he worked so hard to get him here for this camp. So I know in the future.”
Greenwood enjoyed a promising start in a new campaign with Marseille, winning the net once and providing two assists in three appearances.
If he decides to represent Jamaica, Greenwood could make his appearance in the country at the World Cup next summer in the US, Mexico and Canada.
