Greenwood scores on first Marseille look after £30m United transfer

Mason Greenwood opened his account for Marseille on his first appearance for his new club following his £30million move from Manchester United. 

The 22-year-old secured a permanent exit from his boyhood club, having spent last season on-loan in LaLiga with Getafe, after it was mutually agreed his future lay away from United following his previous arrest in January 2022.

Greenwood has linked up with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi at the Stade Velodrome. 

The French side continued their preparation for the upcoming season with a clash against second-division side Pau FC and Greenwood was on hand to give his outfit an early lead. 

The forward latched onto a loose ball in the area before showing tidy footwork to evade a couple of defenders ahead of a strike which looped over the stranded goalkeeper, thanks to a bit of luck from a deflection. 

Mason Greenwood received the praise of his team-mates after opening the score for Marseille against Pau on Saturday

Mason Greenwood opened his account for Marseille in his first appearance for his new club

Greenwood, 22, recently completed a £30m transfer from Manchester United to Marseille

During his solitary season in Spain, Greenwood scored 10 goals and registered six assists on his way to being named Getafe’s player of the season. 

His move to Ligue 1 has drawn protests from fans, with the mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, warning against the switch and branding Greenwood ‘a disgrace’.

Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour nine months later. However, the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew.

Greenwood has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking after his Marseille unveiling, the forward insisted he has put the past behind him and is looking to the future with his partner and their daughter. 

He told La Provence: ‘Obviously, I am aware of this debate and I understand the question. I do not wish to enter into any controversy. I already had the opportunity to express myself on this subject last year.

‘I am now looking towards the future and I am only focused on Olympique de Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille.’

Marseille mayor Benoit Payan publicly opposed Greenwood’s move, labelling him ‘a disgrace’

Greenwood scored 10 goals and added six assists in 34 games on loan with Getafe last season

Marseille take on Championship outfit Sunderland in their next pre-season fixture on August. In addition to Greenwood, the club have also added Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on loan with an obligation to buy. 

Marseille saw an £118.m bid for Liverpool’s Wataru Endo rejected on Sunday. It remains to be seen whether they will return with an improved bid.