Mason Greenwood makes instant impact within three minutes of Marseille debut following summer Manchester United exit
08/17/2024 11:43 AM
Mason Greenwood began his career away from Manchester United by scoring two goals on his debut for new club Marseille.
The striker needed just three minutes to open his account for the French club, and he will be hoping his fast start to life in Ligue 1 will help win over some of the fans who were left unhappy about his arrival.
Greenwood's move from Old Trafford this summer led to a backlash from a section of the Marseille support, as well as the city's mayor.
The 22-year-old has spent the last year rebuilding his life and career, having gone from potential superstar to being suspended by United after his arrest on suspicion of rape, assault and making threats to kill in January 2022.
Those charges were ultimately dropped in February 2023, but after an internal investigation into the striker's conduct it was decided it would be best for Greenwood to 'continue his career away from Old Trafford'.
The forward spent last season on loan at Getafe, managing ten goals and six assists in 36 games for the Spanish club.
He was linked with a return to Spain in a permanent transfer this summer, but Marseille – now managed by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi – got a deal done to the tune of £26.7million [€30m], with United including a hefty sell-on clause.
The deal upset some fans of the French outfit, with the mayor of Marseille urging the club to reconsider and pull out of the transfer, telling French media: “I do not want my club to be covered in shame."
Despite the protests, club officials went ahead with the move, with Greenwood given the No.10 shirt.
And it appears the football decision worked out for them as Greenwood took no time at all to make an impact on the pitch in Saturday’s season opener against Brest.
Bursting down the right wing, the Englishman sprinted into the box with the ball and sent a fierce shot into the bottom left corner of the net with only three minutes on the clock.
He then scored again from the penalty spot to give himself a debut brace on the 30 minute mark, as Marseille went into half-time 3-1 up.
As well as Greenwood, it was also a good start to the season for De Zerbi, who took the job with the French club after his shock departure from Brighton at the end of last season, citing 'unfair things'.
The coach recently spoke out about the decision to sign Greenwood and clarified previous comments made to French media that he had no idea about the forward's past.
He also revealed the warning he gave to the player upon Greenwood's arrival this summer.
'I didn't defend him," De Zerbi told L'Equipe. "I said that when a player becomes my player, I'm the first to pin him to the wall if he makes a mistake.
"But with regards to the outside world, I'll always defend him as I would defend my son.
"The personal question does not enter into my reasoning, I know what Pablo Longoria [Marseille president] did beforehand, all the information he collected on Greenwood.
"The club took every precaution before making the decision.
"I spoke with his father, who must be the same age as me. I warned him about the demands of the club, telling him, 'OM is OM', and he replied: ' remember the historic Marseille, which played in the European Cup finals'.”
