Ex-Manchester United star Mason Greenwood will play his first match in England since January 2022 when new club Fenerbahce face Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Mason Greenwood of Manchester United celebrates after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium on January 19, 2022 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Mason Greenwood hasn't played in England for 1,730 days (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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When Mason Greenwood's number flashed up to be substituted in the 71st minute of Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Brentford on January 19, 2022, no one expected that it would be the last time we saw him play on English soil for the best part of five years.
But 1,730 days later, he's back. Greenwood is set to line up for Fenerbahce when they take on Aston Villa at Villa Park in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old continues to his rebuild his career abroad after he left United in acrimonious circumstances. Days after the win at Brentford, Greenwood would be arrested and later charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling behaviour and assault.
Just over a year later on February 2, 2023, the charges against him were dropped. The Crown Prosecution Service said that key witnesses had withdrawn their involvement and 'new material had come to light'.
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Following an internal investigation, United decided to loan Greenwood out to Spanish club Getafe for the following season, as the forward took the first steps in rebuilding his career. Now he finds himself plying his trade in Turkey with Fenerbahce.
How we got here
After a productive campaign with Getafe, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists, there was plenty of interest in Greenwood. Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid were linked with a move, but it was French giants Marseille who signed him from United.
The Red Devils, who had him on their books since the age of seven, accepted a bid of €31.6million (£26.6m) which included a significant sell-on clause thought to be worth 40 per cent. Marseille's decision drew criticism, including from the city's mayor, who urged them not to sign the one-time England international.
Greenwood found his feet quickly, though, and netted 22 goals in his first season under Roberto De Zerbi. Marseille qualified for the Champions League, as they faced Newcastle and Liverpool (both at home) in the league phase.
In his second term, Greenwood improved his goalscoring tally and netted 26 times. But with De Zerbi having left the Stade Velodrome in February, Marseille only finished fifth and needed to raise funds.
Mason Greenwood during the La Liga match between Getafe and Osasuna
Mason Greenwood spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Getafe(Image: Cesar Cebolla / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport)
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Why Marseille sold him
Despite being their top scorer two seasons in a row, Marseille opted to sell Greenwood this summer. The striker had been receiving backlash from supporters for what critics perceived was a bad attitude, and it was felt that a fresh start was best for all parties.
Fenerbahce came calling and agreed a €39m (£33.3m) deal. Marseille explained: "This decision is the result of a joint discussion between the player and the club, who mutually agreed to end their collaboration. Olympique de Marseille thanks Mason Greenwood for his two seasons with the club and wishes him every success in his future career."
Greenwood helped the Turkish side qualify for the Champions League via the play-offs and registered an assist in their first game of this season's league phase, a 1-1 draw at home to Roma. He currently has four goals and two assists in seven Turkish Super Lig appearances.
Marseille's English forward #10 Mason Greenwood celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 2, football match between Olympique de Marseille (FRA) and AFC Ajax
Mason Greenwood's performances were criticised towards the end of his time at Marseille(Image: Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images)
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Ugly scenes in last Villa meeting
Wednesday won't be the first time that Greenwood has come up against Villa since leaving United. In August 2025, Unai Emery's side travelled to Marseille for a pre-season friendly.
Greenwood caught Amadou Onana with a late tackle and began laughing in his face. Villa's Tyrone Mings went over to defend his team-mate, grabbing the ex-United star by the collar and thrashing him around.
Mings and Greenwood were briefly team-mates for England in September 2020 when the latter made his one and only appearance in a Nations League match away to Iceland. There was no love lost between them.
Regardless of the reception that he'll no doubt receive from Villa's players and fans, Matty Cash is still wary of Greenwood's 'threat'. "A few years ago at Manchester United, he broke in and was one of the best players in his position as a young boy," Cash said at Villa's pre-match press conference.
"He's still an attacking threat. He will come to England wanting to prove himself again, so it will be a good test. We spoke about it on Monday - if you concede goals, two or more, you won’t win games at this level."
Tyrone Mings and Mason Greenwood
Mason Greenwood and Tyrone Mings got into an altercation last year(Image: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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What next for Greenwood?
In the years since his departure from Old Trafford, there've been tentative links of a return to the Premier League. But it remains highly unlikely that Greenwood will return to his home country on a permanent basis in the near future.
His contract with Fenerbahce is set to keep him in Istanbul until 2030 and his record suggests that the club would demand a sizeable fee to let him go. What Greenwood hasn't committed to, however, is which country he'd like to represent at international level.
FIFA's rules allow him the possibility of switching to another eligible nation and he obtained a Jamaican passport last year. But Greenwood refused a call-up for Jamaica, leaving the door open to play for England again.
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 22: Mason Greenwood of Fenerbahce celebrates after scoring a goal during the Turkish Super Lig Week 2 match between Fenerbahce and TUMOSAN Konyaspor at Chobani Stadium, on August 22, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkiye. (Photo by Beyza Comert/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Mason Greenwood appears to be settling in well at Fenerbahce(Image: Beyza Comert/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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However, as of September 2025, he isn't in Thomas Tuchel's plans. "I have not spoken to him until now. I have not spoken to him or his camp," Tuchel said.
"My understanding was that he tries to play for Jamaica so we didn't give it another thought. He was not in the mix at the moment and he is not in our thoughts for our team."
Perhaps Greenwood - also now a father of two - is targeting a return for England in time for the European Championship in 2028, and if he keeps up this form, there'll be clamour for a call-up. But teams, coaches and fans will always be forced to ask themselves bigger questions than just his footballing ability when it comes to Greenwood.
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