Roberto De Zerbi has heaped praise on Mason Greenwood in a gushing speech about the Marseille star, claiming his player has become ‘world-class’ player after building on ‘what his mother and father taught him’.
The former Manchester United forward, 24, left Old Trafford under controversial circumstances in the summer of 2024 but has since revived his career under De Zerbi, proving an integral part of his first team.
Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 and charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault while playing at United, which led to him being banished from the squad and dropped by England’s national team.
Charges were eventually dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew their involvement, but Greenwood remained in exile at Manchester United before eventually being sold for £26.7million to Marseille.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, De Zerbi waxed lyrical about Greenwood’s impact on the team, hailing how much he has matured after surviving ‘difficult times’.
‘We always need a Greenwood like the one we saw in the last two matches,’ the former Brighton boss said.
Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has heaped praise on Mason Greenwood in a gushing speech
Greenwood was labelled ‘world-class’ by the Italian, who hailed the forward’s maturity
De Zerbi claimed that Greenwood is building on ‘what his mother and father taught him’
‘He’s a world-class Greenwood because, in addition to what his mother and father taught him, he’s becoming a complete player.
‘He’s also had his share of difficult times, but he didn’t leave and he stayed here. He understood that we were telling him things for his own good and for the good of Olympique Marseille.’
Greenwood’s father and agent Andrew has played a significant role in the forward’s career so far and lived with him in Spain when he first left Manchester United on loan.
The former England international spent six months on loan at Getafe between January and June in 2024 before completing a permanent exit to Marseille.
During his time in Spain, his mother Melanie remained in Bowdon, Cheshire, where the star previously lived in England.
A report in March 2024 claimed that Greenwood was open to a return to England at the time, believing the move could help ease pressure on his parents’ strained marriage.
At Friday’s press conference, De Zerbi continued to flatter Greenwood, insisting that he is holding the forward to a higher standard than before.
‘He’s truly become a player,’ the Italian added. ‘I hope he continues like this. I’m threatening him with that, assuring him that he has to keep going like this and that it’s primarily for his own good. Because I also see him as a little more human.
Greenwood left Manchester United under controversial circumstances in the summer of 2024
He was arrested in January 2022 and charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault – charges which were later dropped after a key witness withdrew
His parents Melanie Hamilton (right) and Andrew Greenwood (left) pictured at court in 2022
‘He smiles sometimes, he talks a bit more. He’s less withdrawn than before. And that’s a positive thing. Now everyone can really appreciate Greenwood even more than before.’
So far this season, Greenwood has chalked up 22 goals and eight assists from 31 matches across all competitions for Marseille, establishing himself as a star player for De Zerbi in attack.
Despite his goal-scoring record, there has been plenty of chaos at Marseille in 2026 so far, sparked by the French team’s disappointing exit from the Champions League.
Marseille were dumped out of the tournament after failing to qualify for the play-off phase, with Jose Mourinho’s Benfica leapfrogging them on goal difference following a dramatic 4–2 victory over Real Madrid.
De Zerbi, who reportedly handed in his resignation letter after Marseille’s 3-0 defeat by Club Brugge, later admitted he may not be the ‘ideal coach’ for the club as he took partial responsibility for their Champions League exit.
Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia furiously warned there would be ‘consequences’ for De Zerbi and the players, which the Italian addressed last week.
He said: ‘We lost an important match. We’re out of the Champions League. We need to try and understand.
‘Pablo Longoria (Marseille president) and Medhi Benatia, we spoke last night. We met to try and find the best possible solution. This match is also partly my fault. We’ll do everything to bounce back. I’m still here.’
