The former Manchester United star bagged a brace in Marseille’s Ligue 1 win over Montpellier
Mason Greenwood responded to Marseille supporters by bagging a brace in their 5-1 win over Montpellier, after a banner was displayed during the Ligue 1 clash.
The former Manchester United academy graduate, left Old Trafford in a £26million deal after previously spending time on loan at La Liga side Getafe. He has enjoyed a debut season in Ligue 1, scoring 19 times in 32 games so far.
However, last month he was dropped by De Zerbi for their clash against Lens but did come off the bench at half-time during the 1-0 defeat. His omission from the starting XI prompted many questions.
Reports from France suggested growing frustration with the winger’s work ethic. At the time, RMC Sport highlighted rising tensions within the Marseille coaching staff over Greenwood’s ‘nonchalance,’ ‘attitude,’ and ‘lack of effort’ behind the scenes.
The report also pointed to a gap between Greenwood’s talent and his impact on the team, indicating that benching him was a strategic move to push him to raise his performance. Greenwood was also named on the bench for the next game against Paris Saint-Germain.
Since then, he has started the last four matches, finding the net against both Toulouse and Montpellier.
However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the 23-year-old. Here, MEN Sport takes a closer look at the latest developments surrounding Greenwood.
Fans display banner
During the Ligue 1 match against Montpellier, fans voiced their frustrations over Greenwood and Henrique.
A banner displayed by the Marseille faithful read: “Greenwood, Henrique, get moving!”
French media rating
Le Phoceen rated Greenwood as a 7.5 out of 10 against Montpellier. “He was the best [Marseille] attacker in the match,” the outlet wrote.
“Having been little-known recently, the Englishman was the source of all the dangerous opportunities for Roberto De Zerbi’s men. A penalty scorer in the ninth minute, he scored his 18th goal of the season with a shot into the side of the net, which was unstoppable for Lecomte.”
Foot Mercato gave Greenwood an 8. “This is a match that will do the Englishman a world of good, having started his match with a first close-range shot that missed the crossbar,” they added.
“The ex-Mancunian then started his match with a well-converted penalty, before another clear opportunity was stopped by Lecomte. Always in the right place, he also showed his technique to confuse the Herault defence, before a beautiful cross shot to give himself the double.”
L’Equipe only scored Greenwood a 7. “When OM wins, the Englishman is usually not indifferent,” the newspaper stated.
“After hitting the bar, he relieved the Velodrome by converting his penalty and he scored the third goal with a cross shot. Between these two flashes, a beautiful bridge on Rabby Nzingoula.”
Players ‘refused to play’ alongside Greenwood
After Marseille’s 3-0 loss to Monaco, a match in which Mason Greenwood received a 1/10 rating from local newspaper La Provence – reports emerged that former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and France international Adrien Rabiot approached the club’s director of football, Mehdi Benatia, requesting that Greenwood and Brazilian winger Luis Henrique be dropped from the squad.
Marseille chief response
In response to the claims, Benatia said: “Can you imagine? He didn’t come to see me. And what’s more, do you think I need a player to tell me that? Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is one of the most professional in the locker room, a guy who only wants to unite and carry everyone along with him, like Rabiot.
“Today, Adri is dying inside, he only wants one thing: to reach the Champions League. These two are truly two examples, and at no point did they come to see me to dismiss Luis Henrique or Greenwood. The people who say that don’t want the best for OM.”
Roberto Di Zerbi comments
“Greenwood is a natural talent,” the former Brighton boss said earlier this month. “All the credit goes to his mother and father.
“And I’m here to help him become more complete. When he needs a hug, a word of support, I gladly give it. And when I need to push him to give more, I have to do that too because that’s my job. I would especially like to help him be remembered, in this stadium and by these supporters, as one of the greatest players to have played here at the Velodrome.
“There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood has the qualities to be remembered that way. And I’m trying to help him progress.”
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