Greenwood's new life
Outside the bar across from Getafe's Alfonso Perez's home field, where a beer costs more than $3 accompanied by a small plate of chorizo and breadsticks, a group of fans sat around a table and discussed Greenwood.
When the beer was brought out, these people did not mention the heartbreaking photos and audio clips that appeared on social networks in January 2022, or the accusation of assaulting his girlfriend that made one of the best young talents England had to move to a club on the outskirts of Madrid.
They are not arguing about whether the England international should be here wearing his blue shirt proudly strolling around the quiet streets of this working-class suburb, a stone's throw from the center of the Spanish capital. 20 minutes south, or not. Instead, this group of fans only discussed football, about the goals Greenwood scored for Man Utd.
When Greenwood debuted at Getafe last week - where questions about his suspension at Man Utd are banned - there were around 4,000 fans present. Before that, when the deal was officially announced, there were about 40 young fans excitedly waiting outside the main entrance of the club, although there was information that these could be friends of Getafe officials.
The new English account X, created by the club in July, has attracted 46,600 followers. Opposite the Alfonso Perez yard is a small retail store located on the corner of an apartment block. About the size of a living room, empty cardboard boxes are stacked high in a sign that business is picking up since Greenwood moved to Getafe.
In just one week, Getafe sold more shirts with Greenwood's name printed on it than any other player in the club's history. What is interesting is that Osasuna - the club where Greenwood can play his debut match on September 17 - once refused to sign a contract with the 21-year-old striker because of concerns about the negative impact the deal would have on the image of a team. Family club.
At Getafe, no one intended to approach Greenwood with hostile intentions. Outside the enclave there appears to be little dissent and the likelihood of any protests is unlikely. "Everything in Spain is usually black or white," explains an executive in Madrid. "There is only right or wrong, there is never a gray area. For Getafe and their fans, Greenwood has not been found guilty and so there is no problem, it's as simple as that."
Greenwood and his family were welcomed with open arms. They had dinner with the Getafe Chairman at a high-end steakhouse. Greenwood was living with his father, while looking for a house in Boadilla del Monte, a quiet, high-income neighborhood on the city's west side. His girlfriend was also received by WAGs - girlfriends and wives of Getafe players - who took a tour of high-end department stores in Madrid.
On the last day of the European transfer on September 1, Getafe borrowed Greenwood on a one-year loan contract, without a buyout clause. The English striker still receives a weekly salary of nearly 100,000 USD, a figure that surpasses his teammates at Gefate, with Man Utd paying over 50% of this amount. The owner of Old Trafford also pays rent and hires an interpreter who can be on duty 24/7 for Greenwood.
Man Utd's position is that Greenwood is still their player and has not been charged with a crime. Therefore, Man Utd feels responsible for ensuring he can restart his career, even if he has to leave Manchester.
In front of the home crowd at Alfonso Perez on September 17, Greenwood can start a new chapter in his career when he plays Osasuna in round five of La Liga. The last time the 21-year-old striker played was in Man Utd's 1-0 win over West Ham on January 22, 2022.
