Mason Greenwood’s impressive resurgence at Marseille
Marseille’s sporting director Medhi Benatia reportedly sought to offload Mason Greenwood before the former Manchester United forward established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most prolific strikers, reports BritPanorama.
Benatia’s concerns centred particularly on Greenwood’s reluctance to contribute defensively. According to sources, the 24-year-old actively avoided encounters with Benatia at the club’s training facilities, indicating deep-seated tensions.
These doubts emerged prior to Greenwood finishing as joint top-scorer in the French top flight last season, sharing the honour with PSG’s Ousmane Dembele on 21 goals. Former manager Roberto De Zerbi also expressed similar reservations about Greenwood’s commitment.
De Zerbi removed Greenwood from his starting eleven for critical matches against Lens and PSG in March last year. He stated, “I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough.” The former Brighton boss demanded greater application from his forward.
Such pointed criticism underscored the depth of concern surrounding Greenwood’s professionalism during that period. However, De Zerbi later portrayed a more sympathetic position, acknowledging the pressures the young striker faced.
“Greenwood is a very good person whom I love, as I love his father. 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,” De Zerbi noted. This insight suggests an understanding of the impact of family and newfound responsibilities on Greenwood’s performance.
Since those early struggles, Greenwood has silenced his critics in emphatic fashion, netting 25 times across 37 matches this campaign and establishing himself as an indispensable figure for the Ligue 1 side. His remarkable form has attracted attention from top European clubs.
Barcelona, Napoli, and Atletico Madrid have reportedly expressed interest in securing the Englishman’s services. Manchester United parted ways with their academy product for £26.6 million, retaining a substantial sell-on clause within the transfer agreement.
Should any of these suitors meet Marseille’s valuation, Old Trafford stands to benefit handsomely from their former striker’s resurgence, showcasing the unpredictable nature of football fortunes and the value of second chances in high-stakes sports.
