- Mason Greenwood joined Marseille from Man United in a £27m deal this summer
- It took him less than three minutes for him to score his first league goal in France
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Mason Greenwood is off the mark after scoring his first goals in France following his move to Marseille this summer.
The former Manchester United forward needed just three minutes to open his account in Marseille’s season-opening trip to Brest. He had his second goal inside 30 minutes after he won – and then scored – a penalty.
The former outcast at Old Trafford was the first signing made under ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi – who also joined the club this summer after leaving Brighton following their last game of the 2023-24 season – and he repaid the faith to make it 1-0.
Marseille broke quickly down the right and Greenwood raced clear before slotting low into the bottom corner.
All eyes have been on Greenwood since he made the move to France.
Mason Greenwood took just three minutes to score his first league goal since joining Marseille
The young striker cupped his ear in celebration after putting them 1-0 up away against Brest
Greenwood spent last season on loan in Spain at LaLiga side Getafe and had not played for Manchester United since being arrested in January 2022.
He was then charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
Greenwood vehemently denied any wrongdoing and the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew.
De Zerbi pushed for Marseille to sign Greenwood, despite protests from fans and even vocal opposition from the French city’s mayor.
Mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, opposed the signing, insisting that he does not want the club ‘shamed by someone who hits his wife’.
Greenwood was charged with rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. He always denied these allegations and the charges were later dropped when key witnesses withdrew
There was also staunch protests from supporters who launched a #GreenwoodNotWelcome campaign earlier in July.
De Zerbi, though, told L’Equipe: ‘Greenwood is the first player I called. I spoke with his father, who must be the same age as me.
‘I warned him about the demands of this club, telling him: “Marseille in Marseille”.
‘He replied: “I remember the historic Marseille which played in European Cup finals”.’
Despite the protests from some fans towards the player, De Zerbi said he would continue to defend him.
His move to Marseille was met with a lot of backlash, including from the Mayor of Marseille
He said: ‘I said that when a player becomes my player, I am the first to pin him to the wall when he makes a mistake.
‘But towards the outside, I will always defend him as I would defend my son.’