- Greenwood left Man United for Marseille this summer for a fee of £27million
- There were protests from some Marseille fans over Greenwood’s arrival
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Roberto De Zerbi has revealed he gave Mason Greenwood a warning ahead of the England striker’s £27million transfer from Manchester United to Marseille.
The former Old Trafford outsider was the first signing under De Zerbi, who also joined the club this summer after leaving Brighton following their final game of the 2023-24 season.
Greenwood spent last season on loan at LaLiga club Getafe and had not played for United since his arrest in January 2022.
He was then charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. Greenwood strongly denied any wrongdoing and the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses recanted.
De Zerbi insisted that Marseille sign Greenwood, despite protests from fans and even vocal opposition from the French city’s mayor.
Roberto De Zerbi has revealed the warning he gave Mason Greenwood (pictured) during a phone call with the striker and his father ahead of his £27million transfer from Man United to Marseille
De Zerbi revealed he had warned Greenwood about the demands of French giants Marseille
Greenwood was accused of rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. He always denied these allegations and the charges were later dropped when key witnesses recanted
However, Marseille’s manager has now said The team: ‘Greenwood is the first player I called. I spoke to his father, who is probably the same age as me.
‘I warned him about the demands of this club and said: “Marseille in Marseille”.
‘He replied: “I remember the historic Marseille that played in the European Cup final”.’
Despite protests from some fans against the player, De Zerbi said he would continue to defend him.
He said: ‘I’ve always said that if a player becomes my player, I’ll be the first to push him against the wall if he makes a mistake.
“But outwardly I will always defend him, as I would defend my son.”
Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan opposed the signing, saying he did not want the club to be “disgraced by someone who beat his wife”.
There were also strong protests from supporters who had started the #GreenwoodNotWelcome campaign earlier in July.
While some welcomed him with cheers at the airport as he completed his move, others protested on social media.
De Zerbi said he would always defend Greenwood as if he were his son as long as the attacker is one of his players at Marseille
‘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.
“A bunch of filthy big lads, you disgusting,” wrote another, while another fan called it “the most immoral moment” in the club’s history.
But Greenwood stressed last month that he has put the past behind him and is now looking to the future with his partner Harriet Robson and their young daughter.
Greenwood spent the second half of last season on loan at Spanish club Getafe
He told La Provence: ‘Of course I am aware of this debate and I understand the question. I do not want to create controversy. I already had the opportunity to speak out on this subject last year, it is now behind us.
‘With my partner we have rebuilt ourselves, as a couple we have just spent a year in Madrid. We have been together since we were 15, 16 years old, today we have a beautiful little girl who has just celebrated her first birthday.
‘I am now looking to the future and focusing only on Olympique Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille.’