- Greenwood has been ousted from the starting lineup to face RC Lens in Ligue 1
- The ex-Man United prospect has scored 15 goals in 24 matches this season
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Mason Greenwood has been dropped by Roberto De Zerbi after the Marseille manager admitted he was unimpressed with the Englishman.
The former Manchester United prospect has had a productive season for the French giants so far, scoring 15 goals in 24 matches to emerge as one of the standout players in Ligue 1.
That said, Greenwood remains a far less influential asset when it comes to Marseille’s open play, especially when it comes to his defensive duties.
And while he has scored three goals in his last five appearances, his finishing prowess has not spared him from being axed from Marseille’s starting lineup for tonight’s clash against RC Lens, days after manager De Zerbi blasted his lacklustre performances.
While reiterating his delight at having Greenwood at his disposal, the ex-Brighton boss highlighted his dissatisfaction at the player last week.
‘I wanted him here, I said it over and over again,’ De Zerbi said, reflecting on Greenwood’s arrival last summer.
Mason Greenwood has been dropped from Marseille’s starting lineup despite his goal record
The ex-Man United prospect has scored 15 goals in 24 appearances for Marseille this term
Roberto De Zerbi admitted he ‘expects more’ from Greenwood prior to dropping him tonight
‘He was the first player I contacted, even before I signed for OM. I had already spoken to his father. No one can have more respect for him than I do,.
‘But that doesn’t change anything: 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.
‘Otherwise, we as a ream always fall back into the same pattern: a very good match, then a defeat at Auxerre, then a victory against Nantes… It’s too irregular, it’s like waves. And that’s something I don’t like.’
Greenwood did end up featuring against Lens, coming off the bench as his team searched for a winner.
However, Marseille went on to lose the game at the Stade Velodrome as Neil El Aynaui’s 94th-minute strike saw the visitors come away with all three points.
After emerging as one of Man United’s brightest young talents, he left the club officially last summer after he was arrested in January 2022 before being charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
Charges against Greenwood were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service following the ‘withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light’.
After being banished by the United squad, Greenwood reignited his career on loan at Spanish outfit Getafe last season, where he bagged 10 goals and six assists.
He was also cast out by the England setup, leading him to formally apply to switch allegiance to Steve McClaren’s Jamaica.
