FOOTBALL fans are convinced exiled Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has made a decision on his football future.
Supporters have latched on to what they say is a crucial clue from footage showing the former England international training in a park.
Mason Greenwood was spotted playing football in a Jamaica international team top
And it seems his next move, as the Red Devils still deliberate over whether he has a future at Old Trafford, could involve Jamaica.
The footballer, who has not been in Premier League action for a year and a half, was seen kicking a ball about while wearing a “Reggae Boyz” international kit.
One intrigued supporter posted on Twitter: “Mason Greenwood in a Jamaica shirt”, accompanied by a series of chin-scratching emojis.
Another wrote: “Greenwood now defends the Jamaica national team?
“That’s him wearing the Jamaica national team away jersey.”
Twitter user @chrisgardner971, tonight urged: “Come on Greenwood, come to play for Jamaica!”
It was also suggested on Facebook by a fan based in northern Jamaica’s port town Ochos Rios: “Call him up.”
A Jamaican football website JABlogz told how the new training pictures and Greenwood’s choice of kit had “set tongues wagging”.
It reported: “The sight of Greenwood in the Reggae Boyz kit serves as a captivating hint of what the future might hold.”
The online speculation came as it was revealed his mystery trainer was a professional football coach specialising in goal scoring.
Greenwood, 21, was yesterday spotted honing his shooting skills in a private session while plotting a potential comeback.
The forward hasn’t touched a ball for the first team since arrested for attempted rape, assault and coercive control last January.
The charges against him were dropped in February but the footballer remains suspended by United, despite recent talk suggesting a possible return from their head coach Erik ten Hag.
Greenwood has taken to practising his skills at public training grounds rather than his club’s base at Carrington.
He was joined there by Ben Mangan, who describes himself as an “individual professional football coach”.
Yet watchful fans online say the footage could show how Greenwood could be on his way to the Caribbean – and specifically Jamaica, whose “Reggae Boyz” made their World Cup debut in France in 1998.
The country’s football federation indicated in 2021 they would be keen for Greenwood to switch countries and play for them since he has Jamaican descent through his parents.
Greenwood was given his England debut by manager Gareth Southgate as a late substitute against Iceland in September 2020, though has not played for the country since.
Two days after the Iceland game he and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden were withdrawn from the squad for breaching Covid guidelines by leaving the part of the hotel where they were staying.
It used to be that featuring in a competitive international for one country – as Greenwood did against Iceland in the UEFA Nations League – would bar a player from later switching to another nation.
Yet rules were changed by the sport’s world governing body Fifa in 2020.
This means players can now claim different international allegiance so long as they hadn’t yet played more than three competitive matches for another nation before turning 21.
Premier League stars who have recently opted to play for Jamaica instead of hope for England recognition include Everton‘s Demerai Gray and West Ham United‘s Michal Antonio.
The Sun revealed earlier this summer former United boss Jose Mourinho had telephoned Greenwood to sound him out about a loan to Italian Serie A side Roma.
United are said to have had contact with other Italian teams Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan about potential moves.
Members of Manchester United Women‘s team have reportedly raised concerns about the prospect of Greenwood returning to the training ground.
Bradford-born Greenwood has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for Manchester United, having joined the club as a six-year-old.
GettyGreenwood is awaiting a decision on his Manchester United future[/caption]
GettyThe ex-England striker was cleared of all charges he faced in court[/caption]
Greenwood was picked once for England by Gareth Southgate yet could switch nationsRex
The SunThe striker has been seen training in parks while awaiting a potential United return[/caption]