Jamaica head coach admits he ‘would love’ to have Mason Greenwood in his squad and confirms talks over making an attempt to persuade on-loan Man United ahead to change allegiance from England

Jamaica head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has admitted he ‘would love’ to have Mason Greenwood in his squad, with their nationwide federation having mentioned the prospect of trying to persuade the ahead.

Greenwood is eligible for choice as a result of his Jamaican heritage and has solely performed one senior recreation for England.

The 22-year-old’s sole look got here in a UEFA Nations League match in September 2020 in opposition to Finland, the place he got here on as a late substitute.

Greenwood was later despatched dwelling for breaching Covid-19 rules.

He can be permitted to change nations below FIFA guidelines, which permit gamers to vary allegiance if they’ve performed not more than three aggressive matches for a nation previous to turning 21.

Hallgrimsson, who beforehand coached Iceland between 2013 to 2018, admitted he can be eager so as to add a participant of Greenwood’s high quality to his squad.

‘I actually don’t love to speak about “what if”, however this, in fact, has come to our thoughts,’ Hallgrimsson instructed The Athletic.

‘I’d like to have him in my staff. Like all coaches, I want to have one of the best gamers in our staff, however it’s at all times as much as the participant himself if he needs to do it.’

Jamaica Soccer Federation secretary basic Dennis Chung voiced an analogous curiosity final 12 months February, however Greenwood is assumed to have turned down the chance to symbolize the nation within the first occasion. 

Greenwood has spent the season on mortgage at Spanish aspect Getafe with Man United ‘mutually agreeing’ the choice to proceed his profession away from his boyhood membership.

This adopted the Crimson Devils concluding an inner investigation into their ex-academy participant. 

United launched their assessment after expenses of rape and assault in opposition to the participant have been dropped in February 2023, with the Crown Prosecution Service discarding the fees following the withdrawal of key witnesses.

Greenwood is assumed to have been dominated out by Gareth Southgate for a later England call-up, elevating the prospect he may proceed his worldwide profession with Jamaica.

Hallgrimsson, who beforehand described the dropped expenses as ‘baggage’, has advised that Greenwood deserves a ‘second probability’.

‘I can solely think about what he has been going by means of,’ Hallgrimsson mentioned.

‘The case went by means of phases and the case was dropped, so it is lower than me or anybody else to evaluate him on that.

‘I’m joyful for the participant that he’s coming again as a result of it’s most likely a trauma. It is tough to come back (again) from, so I give him my help a minimum of.’

Greenwood has scored seven targets in 25 matches for Getafe this season, with the membership reportedly eager on extending his keep past the tip of the season.

New Man United partial proprietor Sir Jim Ratcliffe just lately implied he may return to the membership after his mortgage spell, contrasting with the membership’s dedication in the summertime to make him restart his profession ‘away from Previous Trafford’.