“We Let Him Go for Far Too Little—Now He’d Outvalue Šeško and Mbeumo,” Sir Jim Ratcliffe is alleged to have said, with Mason Greenwood’s name at the heart of the sentiment.
The words—whether fully accurate or not—carry the kind of weight that hangs over the corridors of Old Trafford. The tone is said to be calm, but it’s laced with the unmistakable sting of regret.
“We sold him cheaply,” he is reported to have admitted. “Today, he’d be worth more than Šeško or Mbeumo. That’s a mistake we’re still paying for.”
Greenwood, once the pride of United’s academy, had been seen as the club’s next great attacking force—quick, clinical, and frighteningly talented.
Yet circumstances saw his career path diverted, and the club sanctioned his sale. Now, instead of terrorizing Premier League defenses in red, he’s the jewel of Marseille’s attack.
This wasn’t a missed opportunity from a rival club—it was a talent nurtured in Manchester’s own backyard, now shining elsewhere.
Benjamin Šeško currently carries a market valuation close to €85 million, while Bryan Mbeumo sits around €75 million.
The alleged remark from Ratcliffe suggests Greenwood would command an even higher fee in today’s inflated transfer climate—possibly exceeding €100 million. To him, the thought is a sobering reminder of the long-term cost of short-term financial decisions.
When Ratcliffe reflects on the period, the regret isn’t just about the player—it’s about the boardroom culture at the time.
United were weighed down by debt and chasing instant fixes, splashing large sums on signings like Antony, Casemiro, Højlund, Onana, and Sancho. Many of those deals failed to deliver sustained success.
But Greenwood’s departure felt different—not just a financial move, but the loss of a key piece of the club’s identity.
The actual sale to Olympique de Marseille came in July 2024 for roughly €31.6 million (£26.6–£27 million), structured with a significant sell-on clause.
The arrangement was unusual: Marseille purchased 50% of Greenwood’s economic rights, with an additional 10% to be acquired if they qualified for the Champions League, leaving United with a 40% stake.
This means United could still reap over £50 million if Greenwood’s future transfer commands a major fee.
In France, Greenwood wasted no time making an impact—scoring twice in his first half-hour on debut, breaking records with two goals inside a single minute, and ending the 2024–25 season as joint Ligue 1 top scorer with 21 goals.
Marseille reportedly wouldn’t consider selling him for less than £82 million, a figure that would triple their investment.
For Ratcliffe, Greenwood’s success is both a warning and a wound. “Selling talent cheaply isn’t saving money,” he is quoted as saying. “It’s sacrificing identity.”
The imagined image is haunting: Old Trafford at night, Greenwood’s old locker still in place, his name whispered like a reminder of what might have been.
