Getafe boss Jose Bordalas apologises for claiming Jude Bellingham was key to Mason Greenwood joining the LaLiga side and insists it was ‘our interest’ that sealed loan move from Man United

Getafe coach Jose Bordalas has apologised for wrongly claiming that Jude Bellingham was involved in Mason Greenwood‘s loan move to the LaLiga club.

Greenwood, 21, joined the Spanish side on transfer deadline day, after being told he had no future at Manchester United following the collapse of legal proceedings against him. 

Bordalas, 59, made a remarkable claim to Radio Marca, stating: ‘Greenwood has a friendship with Bellingham and he recommended that he come and play in the Spanish league.’ Bellingham’s entourage were said to be unhappy about the statement.

Following Getafe’s 3-2 win over Osasuna, which saw Greenwood come off the bench for his club debut, Bordalas clarified the error, as reported by The Athletic. He said: ‘I wanted to clear up a misunderstanding there has been. I said that Mason Greenwood came to Getafe because he had spoken to Bellingham.

‘It has been clarified to me that this was not the case. I apologise. Mason arrived in a different way. It was our interest and they offered him to me and we were very interested. I just wanted to clarify that, it was not a bad intention.’

Bellingham’s entourage were unhappy with Bordalas’s false statement made to Radio Marca

Both players joined LaLiga this summer, albeit in different circumstances. Following an international battle for Bellingham’s signature, the talented England international joined Real Madrid in a multi-million pound transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

Greenwood, who has been told he will not be part of Manchester United’s plans following the conclusion of an internal investigation, joined Getafe on loan on transfer deadline day.  

Bordalas was pleased with Greenwood’s performance after coming on as a second half substitute. He said: ‘We were pleasantly surprised, it was a tough match and a tough time. There was a lot of back and forth. He has helped in offensive tasks, he has been very supportive.

‘We are working with patience and tranquility, he has not played for many months. Today must have been a very special day for him. The player wants to compete and play. We have seen the response from the fans and his teammates. We have to be calm. The participation has been remarkable.

Greenwood made his debut for Getafe – on loan from Man United – in Sunday’s LaLiga game 

Bordalas said he was ‘pleasantly surprised’ with the way Greenwood performed in the game 

‘We are very happy, he is very integrated for such a short period. The language is a handicap, he is with a teacher to try to accelerate the learning of Spanish to have better contact with his teammates. He is having a remarkable start, we are very happy and content.

‘We are on the sidelines of what can be commented, I already clarified it. Now we are only talking about sports, I have told my teammates, we are happy with Mason’s behaviour. It’s good for him.’

Getafe’s next match is against Real Sociedad next Sunday. 

In February, rape charges in England were dropped against Greenwood after a key witness pulled out of the investigation and ‘new material came to light’.