Mason Greenwood Joins Marseille Amid Controversy
Mason Greenwood has officially signed with Marseille, following his release from Manchester United, and the club has issued a brief statement regarding his transfer. This move comes as the young winger has been making waves in Ligue 1, establishing himself as a key player for the French side.
Under the management of Roberto De Zerbi, Greenwood has emerged as one of Marseille’s standout performers, netting an impressive 15 goals in just 26 appearances this season. However, recent matches against Lens and Paris Saint-Germain saw Greenwood relegated to the bench, raising questions about his work ethic and commitment.
De Zerbi has addressed these concerns, firmly rejecting any notion that Greenwood’s reduced playing time is due to a lack of effort. Instead, the Italian coach emphasized the immense pressure Greenwood is under, particularly after the birth of his daughter. He stated, “We need to clarify the Mason Greenwood case a little. Because you journalists are always in a position to change things a little, to create some scoops. You have to do what all journalists do a little bit, which is to make a little bit of chaos.”
De Zerbi continued, “He’s had a bit of a tough time lately because he had a daughter who was born, and I don’t think he’s used to playing such an intense season and being a main player. I think he paid for it physically. That is to say that he didn’t push himself and wasn’t 100 percent as I wanted in training, in terms of what I expect from a player like him.”
The coach is focused on establishing a strong team dynamic in Marseille, drawing inspiration from Luis Enrique’s successful tenure at Paris Saint-Germain, where he built a cohesive unit. De Zerbi affirmed, “My project in Marseille is not only to qualify for the Champions League; it is also to create something like what Luis Enrique has created.”
Greenwood’s promising career at Manchester United faced a significant setback in January 2022 when he was arrested on suspicion of serious charges, which included attempted rape and assault. Although the Crown Prosecution Service later dropped the charges due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence coming to light, the incident severely impacted his future at the club.
After a season with LaLiga side Getafe, where he scored ten goals and provided six assists, Greenwood officially departed Manchester United last summer. His transfer to Marseille was finalized for a fee estimated at around £26 million.