Mason Greenwood makes instant impact on La Liga debut as Getafe edge five-goal thriller

© Getafe.

FOOTBALL Mason Greenwood makes instant impact on La Liga debut as Getafe edge five-goal thriller

Joel Omotto 19:30 - 17.09.2023

The Manchester United outcast played a major part in Getafe’s winning goal as they downed Osasuna 3-2 in a Spanish top division clash

Mason Greenwood made an instant impact as Getafe secured a 3-2 win over Osasuna in a La Liga clash at the at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez on Sunday.

Coming on in the 77th minute when the scores were 2-2, Greenwood had a hand in Getafe’s winning goal as they made it nine matches unbeaten against Osasuna since the latter’s return to La Liga in 2019.

Greenwood, making his debut, won a pivotal 85th-minute corner. His shot was blocked by Juan Cruz, allowing Nemanja Maksimović to guide in substitute Carles Aleñá’s pinpoint delivery.

The Manchester United forward had not played since January 2022, when he was arrested following allegations surrounding material which was published online. Charges against the 21-year-old, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped on February 2, 2023.

He signed on loan with Getafe after a six-month internal investigation at United, with the club and Greenwood agreeing it would be "most appropriate" for him to rebuild his career "away from Old Trafford".

Greenwood's introduction was greeted with enthusiastic cheering from the Getafe supporters, although there was a reaction from a small pocket of Osasuna fans in a corner of the stadium.

Getafe went ahead after 36 minutes through Stefan Mitrovic but Iker Munoz equalised on the stroke of halftime. Jose Angel Carmona then made it 2-1 in favour of the home side six minutes after the break before Ante Budimir brought the scores level via the penalty spot in the 57th minute.

Getafe's decision to sign Greenwood has been criticised by a domestic abuse charity in Spain. The club has defended its decision on the grounds that the England forward is no longer subject to a criminal investigation.

The three points mean Getafe jump six places to ninth after earning back-to-back home wins for the first time since March, leapfrogging Osasuna, who are now 12th.