Mason Greenwood’s former Manchester United teammates have reacted to his £30million transfer to Marseille.
Greenwood, 22, will work alongside ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi after signing for the French club. He was named Getafe Player of the Season last season after scoring 10 goals and providing six assists during his loan spell.
Marseille supporters launched the #GreenwoodNotWelcome campaign earlier in July. Some welcomed him with cheers at the airport on Wednesday night, but others protested fiercely on social media.
Now, some of the player’s former teammates have shared their reaction to his move by posting emojis under one of his posts.
The 22-year-old posted a photo of herself with The Spanish president of Marseille, Pablo Longoria, with the caption: ‘I am very excited about this new chapter. Allez l’OM!’
Marseille have confirmed the arrival of Mason Greenwood from Man United for a fee of £30million
Greenwood received a warm welcome from fans as he arrived for his medical.
Some of Greenwood’s former teammates left messages of support under his Instagram post
His former Red Devils teammate Jadon Sancho left a complimenting emoji below, while Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga said ‘Allez Mon garrrrr’, which translates to ‘come on my garrrr’.
Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, who came through Man United’s youth academy alongside Greenwood, left an emoji of a heart and a closed mouth next to a pair of eyes.
Sam Mather, Di’Shon Bernard, Shola Shoretire and Deji Sotona, who all played or still play for United’s youth academy, also wished him luck.
Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, but the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses recanted. The attacker has denied any wrongdoing.
After his arrival at the club, a fan wrote on X: ‘Never been so ashamed to support this club. Disgusting to see this man in our colours, disgusting to see him defended or even supported by some. Without me,
‘Never been so ashamed to support this club. Disgusting to see this man in our colours, disgusting to see him defended or even supported by some. Without me,’ wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
“A bunch of dirty big guys, disgusting,” wrote another.
One fan called it the “most immoral moment” in the club’s history.
Meanwhile, a widely followed fan account has received more than 2,000 likes for an extensive essay criticizing the signing.
It says: ‘There are things much more important than football… and respect for women is one of them!!!’
The striker has not played for Manchester United since 2022, when the allegations emerged, and spent last season on loan at Getafe in Spain.
Greenwood’s attempted rape and assault charges were dropped last year
‘I am terribly disappointed with the arrival of Mason Greenwood to the club I have supported since I was little. The club I fell in love with, because of the players, the history, but also and above all because of the values and positions, where women play a very important role.
‘What message are you sending with this signature to the thousands of women who fill the stands of the Vélodrome, to the millions of women who support you worldwide, to the dozens of women and children, victims of domestic violence who you welcomed during Covid???
‘OM is first and foremost a football club, so I fully understand that the managers only thought about the athlete and not about the values and image of the club… but for me that doesn’t work anyway.
“But hey, now he’s here. So I won’t cheer or shout his name when he scores, but if he wants to become a better person and tries to do that, then I’ll support him in that process.. but that’s it for me!”
Also scattered beneath Marseille’s mail announcing his arrival were messages of congratulations and welcome for Greenwood.
Joey Barton threw his hat into the ring on Wednesday, arguing that he “deserves a chance to continue his career.”
He also said he believes England would have won Euro 2024 if Gareth Southgate had taken him.