Greenwood ‘OUT OF STEP’ on Marseille debut

Robin Bairner

25 Jul 2024 13:45 BST
3 min read

Mason Greenwood took his first significant steps for Marseille after joining in a big-money transfer from Manchester United on Wednesday.

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Greenwood signed for OM in a €26 million deal on 18 July, and his actions on the south coast of France are sure to attract attention after the personal controversy that dogged his latter time at Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old was ultimately found unfit to continue his career with Man Utd after being charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022.

Although these charges, which Greenwood denied, were ultimately dropped, the Old Trafford side sent him into exile at Getafe last season before selling him to Marseille in a deal that was heavily criticised by the city’s mayor.

Greenwood’s Marseille debut came on Wednesday in a 3-0 friendly victory against Toulon, and the assessment of his performance by the media was one that suggests he will not be an instant hit at Stade Velodrome.

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© IMAGO - Mason Greenwood excelled at Getafe last season

Greenwood replaced at the break

The once-capped England star was withdrawn at half-time in the match, with his replacement, youth team player Keyliane Abdallah, grabbing OM’s third in the game.

L’Equipe, however, did excuse the ex-Man Utd star’s debut on his lack of conditioning.

“It is not yet possible to draw any lessons from his debut because he is out of step in terms of physical preparation compared to his new teammates, and because he still has to get to grips with the method of his new coach Roberto De Zerbi,” it states.

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Mason Greenwood

M (R)

Marseille

Mason Greenwood

M (R)

Marseille

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€15M - €25M

But while attacker Faris Moumbagna was criticised “confusing technical shortcomings”, there were signs of promise in Greenwood’s display.

“He chose to keep it simple and showed that he has some real talent when using his body, with some well-executed feints,” L’Equipe says.

Greenwood is expected to earn more playing time for his new side when they meet Pau on Saturday.

There is also the prospect of him being joined by a familiar face at OM, with Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah increasingly linked with a move to the Ligue 1 outfit.