Ex-Man Utd forward Mason Greenwood has been left out of Marseille's last two starting line-ups amid growing tension between him and manager Roberto De Zerbi.
08:40, Thu, Mar 20, 2025 | UPDATED: 08:42, Thu, Mar 20, 2025
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Mason Greenwood's relationship with Roberto De Zerbi has been anything but straightforward. The former Manchester United ace, who, like De Zerbi, joined Marseille last summer, has been on fire since moving to France. He's scored 15 Ligue 1 goals so far this term – a tally bettered only by PSG's Ousmane Dembele – and his bright form has been turning heads across Europe, with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid among several big clubs mulling over an end-of-season move for him.
Marseille are keen to keep hold of him, but De Zerbi may have other ideas after clashing with the 23-year-old at times this season. In one instance, the former Brighton boss reportedly flew into a fit of rage while criticising Greenwood's application in training, leaving several first team players shocked. The explosive altercation came ahead of the club's tie with Lens earlier this month, and Greenwood has been left out of De Zerbi's starting XI ever since.
Marseille were beaten 1-0 by Lens, and went on to lose 3-1 to PSG a week later, with Greenwood – who, according to De Zerbi, was "not in the right physical condition to play" – reduced to an impact sub role in both games. The defeats have seen OM slip 19 points behind leaders PSG, who are still unbeaten in Ligue 1. That said, they're still second in the table and on course to clinch an automatic Champions League spot.
Given Greenwood's strong form, De Zerbi's decision to drop him might have raised a few eyebrows, but the Italian has stayed true to his word after promising to leave any player who "trains badly" out of his starting line-up earlier in the campaign. Additionally, he recently said of Greenwood: "I expect more from him.
"He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough. If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined."
(Image: Getty)
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Tension between Greenwood and De Zerbi appears to have been building for some time. In October last year, the coachslammed Greenwood for being "out of shape" after he went four games without a goal or an assist, and a few weeks later he claimed Greenwood's standards had "slipped".
In February, he said he was frustrated because Greenwood was too "focused on the goal" and wasn't working hard enough to improve other aspects of his game, such as corner taking. "Greenwood is not a specialist on corners," De Zerbi said. "He could become one, but he is focused on the goal. When he goes to take a corner, he goes a bit like... and that annoys me."
A few weeks ago, it emerged that De Zerbi was becoming 'increasingly impatient' with the forward, with RMC Sport claiming that Greenwood's "nonchalance", "attitude" and "lack of effort" was rubbing staff members up the wrong way. It's also understood that the former Red Devils forward could be pushed out of the club if he fails to get back in his manager's good books.
Greenwood has scored 16 goals in 28 games in all competitions for Marseille, and needs just two more to set a new personal best for a single season. He joined the French club from United in a £26million deal last year, having spent the previous campaign on loan at La Liga outfit Getafe.
Earlier this month, Greenwood officially switched international allegiences from England to Jamaica. He earned his one and only cap for the Three Lions back in 2020, but has been out of the England picture ever since.