Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been the subject of interest from a number of clubs – including Marseille – as he enters the final year of his contract at Old Trafford
Marseille‘s pursuit of Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been opposed by the mayor of the club’s city.
Ligue 1 club L’OM are among a number of clubs in the mix for Greenwood, who is in the final year of his United contract. Lazio are among the others to be linked with the one-cap England international, who spent last season on loan at Getafe.
Greenwood has not featured for United since January 2022 when he was suspended by the club following his arrest for attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, Greenwood saw the case against him discontinued when the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew all charges, following the withdrawal of co-operation from key witnesses.
“I do not want my club to be covered in shame,” Marseille mayor Benoit Payan told RMC. “It is not acceptable.” Mirror Football has contacted Manchester United and Olympique de Marseille for comment.
Greenwood is understood to have been back at United’s training ground on Monday for discussions regarding his future. However, he was not among the players involved in training after manager Erik ten Hag welcomed some squad members back for pre-season.
Payan’s comments about the 22-year-old come after a number of Marseille fans protested against the club’s reported pursuit with some using the #GreenwoodNotWelcome hashtag on social media. A fee believed to be worth £27million has been touted for the player, who scored 10 goals in all competitions for Getafe last term.
“At a time when negotiations for the arrival of Mason Greenwood are announced as becoming increasingly advanced, it seems necessary to explain, once again and before the damage becomes irreversible, why this transfer seems inconceivable in view of the values displayed by the club and why it would mean for many of us a red line that would irreparably damage the passion that we have for this club,” a statement on OM Forum reads, in part.
Marseille finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season amid managerial uncertainty, with several different coaches spending time in the dugout. They appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new head coach over the summer, following the Italian’s departure from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
De Zerbi was asked about Greenwood by reporters after the fan protests. “Greenwood isn’t recruited yet, so there isn’t much to say,” the 45-year-old said.
“He’s a champion, an international level player. I don’t know what happened, I’m not concentrating on private lives. When a player signs for the club, I consider him my child. Even if I can pull his ear in private, I will defend him publicly. My players are like my sons.”