Mason Greenwood Thrives in France Despite English Football Fallout
Mason Greenwood, once one of England’s brightest footballing talents, continues to be one of the country’s most controversial figures. After leaving Manchester United under a cloud of serious allegations, Greenwood has found a surprising second chance in France with Marseille, where he is now thriving both on and off the pitch. While English football fans still view him with suspicion, in Marseille he is being celebrated as a hero.
Greenwood’s journey has been far from ordinary. He spent 17 years at Manchester United, rising through the academy to make his first-team debut at just 17 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. By the time he turned 20, he had already scored 32 goals for the Red Devils, putting him alongside club legends like Norman Whiteside and George Best in terms of teenage achievements. An England debut followed at 18, but a Covid-related squad controversy with Phil Foden overshadowed his international promise.
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Everything changed in early 2022 when Greenwood was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault. The charges were eventually dropped due to withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence, but the damage to his career in England had been done. Manchester United, facing a furious fan backlash, made it clear that Greenwood’s time at Old Trafford was over. A loan spell in Spain with Getafe gave him a temporary lifeline, but it was his move to Marseille that truly reignited his career.
At Marseille, Greenwood has flourished under Roberto De Zerbi, scoring 33 goals in 52 appearances. His recent double against rivals Nice brought his season tally to 11 goals, highlighting that he is playing the best football of his career. De Zerbi has described Greenwood as a “good guy” who has paid a very heavy price for past events and emphasized that the environment at Marseille has allowed him to grow both as a player and a person. Fellow academy graduate Angel Gomes echoes this sentiment, noting Greenwood’s dedication, humility, and ability to focus on football while keeping a low profile off the pitch.
Despite his resurgence, Greenwood’s hopes of an England recall remain slim. The scandal that ended his Premier League career continues to overshadow him in his home country, even as he rejects an international switch to Jamaica in the hope of a Three Lions reprieve. Yet in France, fans have embraced him, acknowledging his efforts on the pitch and his commitment to moving on with his life, especially after the birth of his second daughter.
As Marseille prepares to face Newcastle in the Champions League, Greenwood will test himself against Premier League opposition for the first time since leaving England. His manager and teammates describe him as a complete forward, capable of both scoring and creating, with finishing skills that rival Europe’s best. While English football may still keep him at arm’s length, Greenwood is showing that a second chance in the right environment can truly transform a career.
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