Republic of Ireland U21 star James Abankwah has been pictured training with Mason Greenwood and fellow Manchester United player Anthony Elanga.
In an image posted online, the Udinese defender was pictured training with the United pair in recent days as they continue to prepare for the new season with their respective clubs.
Greenwood was suspended by United in January 2022 after being arrested on suspicion of rape and assault on a woman. He was further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill but the charges were subsequently dropped in February of this year.
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He remains sidelined by United, although their internal investigation is close to being completed. The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford. A season-long loan move to Atalanta has been mooted, while Roma and Juventus also remain in the mix.
But in the meantime, Greenwood has been working hard to stay sharp and fit ahead of the 2023/24 season. Last month, Greenwood was pictured training on his own.
But images have circulated showing the England international training with 21-year-old Elanga and Abankwah, who made his debut for the Republic of Ireland's U21 team last month.
HIs first cap at U21 level came just weeks after he made his first start for Udinese in Serie A as they faced Italian giants Juventus.
The 19-year-old feels he is a better player thanks to his first season in Italy.
“It’s been great. It’s been very tough as well,” he said recently. “Coming from Pat’s, going into a team like Udinese in Serie A, training-wise, match-wise, it’s just been very good for me.
“I’ve learned a lot and gained a lot of experience there, and I’m trying to use all that experience in the matches and training here. It’s been very good.”
He has come a long way from his time at Letterkenny Rovers - the first of many stops on his way to Serie A.
“I started at Letterkenny Rovers and then went to Melview in Longford. Then from Melview to Cherry Orchard to St Pat’s and from St Pat’s to Udinese,” he said.
“It’s been a great couple of years for me. It wasn’t easy though, travelling up to training when I was at Longford, travelling to Dublin.
“People did question it, saying there were teams in Longford, why travel all the way to Dublin?
“But I knew what I wanted to do and I knew how far I wanted to go in football. I was dedicated and thankfully it has worked out really well for me.”
Elanga and Greenwood have known each-other for almost a decade after coming through the youth system at United. Elanga joined the Red Devils when he was 12, while Greenwood has been at the club since primary school.
Despite this, Greenwood's future is still unclear. Erik ten Hag and others are reportedly open to keeping him at Old Trafford, well aware of the 21-year-old's undeniable talent and extreme potential which he demonstrated under previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, figures inside United - including members of their women's team - are claimed to have an issue with his proposed return. Elsewhere, it's been reported that the Red Devils are considering loaning out Greenwood next season in order for him to revive his career away from the spotlight at United.
Elanga meanwhile could also be on the move this summer after finding opportunities limited under Erik ten Hag. Everton are believed to be keen on the Sweden international, while there is also interest from France.
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