Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood broke a 34-year record for Marseille and Roberto De Zerbi has explained how the star forward has transformed in Ligue 1
Roberto De Zerbi has praised the work ethic of former Manchester United talent Mason Greenwood, months after he was dropped for ‘below-par work rate’. The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss has spoken highly of the academy graduate tipping him for greatness despite detailing how he fell below expectations earlier this year.
The 24-year-old netted four for the Ligue 1 side at the weekend as they thrashed Le Havre 6-2. In doing so, Greenwood became the first Marseille player to score four in a single league match since Jean-Pierre Papin in 1991.
Greenwood has been in fine form for Marseille after arriving on a permanent deal from United last summer for £26.6million.
The former Seagulls head coach lauded Greenwood and tipped him to become of the best after his quadruple. He said: “It’s true that Mason can do more, not just in terms of goals scored because in that area he doesn’t need to do better.
“He’s already a top player in front of goal, but he can become one of the best players in the world, because he has the ability.
“He can improve in helping the team when it needs it, when it’s necessary.
“But I want to protect Mason from criticism, he’s always scored a lot of goals and never missed a training session. But he still has room for improvement.”
In March, De Zerbi highlighted the negative side to Greenwood’s game as he admitted that United’s youngest ever European goalscorer had more to come.
“I wanted him here, I said it over and over again. He was the first player I contacted, even before I signed for OM,” he said.
“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 team 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’s time at Old Trafford came to an end last summer, almost two years after he was suspended by the club. The club made the decision in October 2022 after the forward was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The Crown Prosecution Service later discontinued these proceedings, and all charges were dropped a year later.
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