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 apologized for wrongly claiming Jude Bellingham was involved in Mason Greenwood’s move to the LaLiga club.

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

Bordalas, 59, made a startling claim to Radio Marca, saying: ‘Greenwood has a friendship with Bellingham and he recommended him to play in the Spanish league.’ Bellingham’s entourage is said to be dissatisfied with the statement.

After Getafe’s 3-2 win over Osasuna, in which Greenwood came off the bench for his club debut, Bordalas clarified the error: The Athletic reports. He said: ‘I wanted to clear up a misunderstanding. I said Mason Greenwood came to Getafe because he had spoken to Bellingham.

‘It has become clear to me that this was not the case. I’m sorry. Mason arrived in a different way. It was our interest and they offered it to me and we were very interested. I just wanted to make that clear, it wasn’t a bad intention.’

The Bellingham entourage was not satisfied with Bordalas’ false statement to Radio Marca

Both players joined LaLiga this summer, albeit under different circumstances. After 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 was told he will not be part of Manchester United’s plans following the conclusion of an internal investigation, was loaned out to Getafe 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 traveling back and forth. He helped with offensive duties and was very supportive.

‘We work with patience and calm, he has not played for months. Today must have been a very special day for him. The player wants to compete and play. We have seen the reaction of the fans and his teammates. We must be calm. The participation was remarkable.

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

Bordalas said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the way Greenwood performed in the match

‘We are very happy, he is very integrated for such a short period. The language is a handicap, he tries to learn Spanish with a teacher to speed up to have better contact with his teammates. He is off to a remarkable start, we are very happy and satisfied.

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

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

In February, rape charges against Greenwood were dropped in England after a key witness withdrew from the investigation and “new material came to light.”