Mason Greenwood responds to Roberto De Zerbi with defiant message after being benched
Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has sought to get his career back on track by going against his Marseille manager Robert De Zerbi's wishes during the international break
Mason Greenwood has sent a defiant message to Roberto De Zerbi after being benched by the Marseille manager for the past two games.
De Zerbi, the former head coach of Premier League side Brighton, gave a rest period this week to members of his squad who have not joined up with their national teams for the international break. Marseille players not on international duty were meant to return to training this Friday following a four-day break.
Yet, Greenwood, who hasn’t been part of the England national team set-up for several years and could be set to represent Jamaica in the future, sent his manager a message of intent by deciding to resume training on Wednesday - two days early. The 23-year-old’s earlier than expected return to La Commanderie follows his most difficult spell yet since joining the Ligue 1 club from Manchester United in the summer.
There had been growing concerns over the forward in recent weeks as he found himself out of the starting line-up for the first time since his arrival in Provence, south-eastern France. He failed to make an impact after being brought on from the bench against Lens and PSG earlier this month.
It is understood that his Italian manager believed his form, lack of application and commitment were problems. But the Red Devils academy graduate has sought to make that right by returning to training early on his own initiative.
French outlets La Provence and RMC Sport report the gesture has been greatly appreciated internally at the French club, by both the manager and other members of staff. A clip was uploaded by the Marseille social media account of Greenwood working on his fitness on Thursday with the caption: “Work, work, work.”
Greenwood will hope he can help Marseille hold on to second-place and a Champions League spot for the remainder of the season, with their successful campaign threatened by a poor run of results. Greenwood is currently their leading goal-scorer with 15 league goals this season, which places him behind only Ousmane Dembele in the race for the top-scorer award.
Greenwood came up through United’s academy and broke into the team in the 2018/19 season, before becoming a regular the following campaign. He scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for the Old Trafford side before his loan move to Getafe last season. He was sold by his boyhood club to Marseille last summer.