Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood may switch to Jamaican national team

Manchester United’s teenage striker Mason Greenwood may be convinced to switch allegiances when it comes to international football, according to reports.

Jamaica are said to be interested in taking Greenwood and a host of other Britain-based talent to play for them in their World Cup qualifiers, offering them the chance to appear at Qatar 2022 when they might not ordinarily consider themselves able to find a way to the tournament.

They have already managed to get Michail Antonio of West Ham to commit, with the experienced forwards one of his club’s best performers last season. However, there are plenty more players who may qualify. Former Manchester United playmaker Ravel Morrison, as well as Andre Gray and Kemar Roofe, could also make the decision to turn out for the Jamaican FA.

The team already have players such as Adrian Mariappa, Leon Bailey, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Liam Moore in the team, but Greenwood would be their standout player.

The 19-year-old missed the Euros this summer due to an injury, and also missed out on the Under-21 European Championships with the same complaint. Greenwood made his debut against Iceland for the senior team, but was then sent home for breaking coronavirus protocols by inviting two women to the England team hotel along with Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

Greenwood would qualify for the Jamaican side through his parents, and he would be able to make a switch despite already having a full cap for England. Players under 21, with fewer than three competitive games to their name for a country, are allowed to switch their national team. The United striker would qualify under those rules.

Greenwood has featured for United mainly on the wings as Anthony Martial, when fit, and Edinson Cavani, when fit, are the two preferred strikers for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He may find yet more competition for places should Jadon Sancho arrive from Borussia Dortmund.