Football director John Murtough and manager Erik ten Hag reportedly supported the stance. However, staff threatening to strike and external criticism is claimed to have prompted a late U-turn.

It led to Greenwood joining La Liga side Getafe on loan until next summer, by which point he will still have one year left on his United contract.

The former United No 11 is enjoying life in Spain and is gradually rediscovering the scoring touch that made him one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers after his 2019 senior breakthrough.

United’s stance reportedly remains the same. They don’t expect Greenwood to represent the club again at the end of his loan at Getafe and beyond.

Man Utd have been urged to let Mason Greenwood return. (Image: Getty)

However, Storey-Moore believes he should remain at Old Trafford next season to add much-needed firepower to Ten Hag’s misfiring attacking regiment.

“Everybody deserves a second chance. He has served his time, so to speak, and they should possibly let him back in next season,” Storey-Moore told Express Sport.

“He’s an asset, isn’t he? I think he’s better than what they’ve got when he’s at his best, absolutely.”

Marcus Rashford’s strike in a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal in September remains the only Premier League goal scored by a United forward this season.

Ten Hag’s side have scored just 13 goals in 12 league outings this term, a measly tally only six teams have failed to match.

Mason Greenwood hasn’t played for Man Utd since January 2022. (Image: Getty)

Rasmus Hojlund – who became United’s most expensive-ever striker in a £72million summer deal – is yet to score his first Premier League goal.

The 20-year-old Dane has netted five times in four Champions League group fixtures but has failed to replicate his form domestically.

Rashford is out of sorts, Antony continues to underwhelm and Jadon Sancho remains banished after effectively calling Ten Hag a liar on social media earlier in the season.

Greenwood would no doubt boost the Dutchman’s attacking options. But United’s incoming INEOS regime would face the same internal and external resistance if they attempted to sanction his return next year.

The authorised biography of Ian Storey-Moore written by Stuart Humphreys and Richard Harrison, ‘Give It To Moore – He Will Score’, is out now.