Marseille fans turn on Mason Greenwood but ex-Man Utd star gives perfect response
Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood has impressed in front of goal at Marseille this season after smashing in 18 goals, but fans have taken issue with his work ethic and held up a banner to make their feelings known
Mason Greenwood was slammed by Marseille fans on Saturday after they unfurled a banner that told him to "get a move on" during their 5-1 win over Montpellier - but the on-loan Manchester United responded brilliantly by netting a double. Greenwood has put in some mixed displays for the French side this season but still has a total of 18 goals.
There has been criticism for Greenwood over his work ethic and attitude, even though he is currently the second-highest top scorer in Ligue 1.
Last month, manager Roberto De Zerbi said he expected more from Greenwood in spite of his scoring run, urging him to "be more consistent and sacrifice more".
Fans certainly appear to agree with that sentiment as they targeted Greenwood and team-mate Luis Henrique, telling them both to "get a move on", which could either be interpreted as them wanting the players to leave the club or put in more effort.
And Greenwood responded in the perfect way by putting in a man of the match display in the thrashing of Montpellier - scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot in the eighth minute before netting a second after the break in the 67th minute.
READ MORE: Liam Delap sent bleak warning over Man Utd transfer amid £30m release clauseREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim explains reason for latest change after dropping another Man Utd starHe has played a total of 32 games in all competitions this season, with 19 strikes in total. Last season Greenwood played on loan at Getafe, where he scored 10 goals from 36 outings.
Last month, De Zerbi 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."
This month there has been further controversy after reports of a bust-up between Greenwood and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. There were claims that Hojbjerg went to chief Medhi Benatia that he didn't want to play alongside him - something the latter has denied.
But it appears the De Zerbi is happy with the response he's seen from Greenwood after detailing the steps he's taken to improve on his all-round displays this season.
He said this month: "First of all, it's not something I work on in the moment, during a time when it's more complicated. I work all season to help the players. You also have to realise that for two years of his career, Mason didn't play. He's very young (23 years old), and being out of action for two years is complicated.
'Last year he played for a club - Getafe - that was fighting for survival.' 'He is an introverted person, a little closed, but he has a wonderful family around him, an extraordinary father with whom I worked a lot, he helped me a lot to manage him , with the help also of Mehdi Benatia.
'It is true that sometimes he gives us the impression that he can score three or four goals per game, and sometimes also that he wastes a little of his potential and his value. So how can we help him? Well sometimes by cuddling him, by taking care of him and sometimes also by being harder so that he continues his progression.
'This is the main objective that I have with all my players, beyond all those that we can have with the club, because if I make my players progress we can achieve the club's objectives faster."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.