Injury or Strategy? Greenwood’s Absence Raises Questions
Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has reportedly been left out of Marseille’s squad for Saturday’s friendly match against Sunderland. The Ligue 1 outfit are set to face the Black Cats in Bradford, Greenwood’s birthplace, but the 22-year-old will reportedly play no part in the fixture at Valley Parade.
Official Reason: Muscle Injury
According to Le Provence, Greenwood has suffered a muscle injury, prompting Marseille to be cautious and not risk the forward, who was signed from Manchester United in a deal worth £26.6m last month. However, this explanation has sparked speculation.
Unofficial Reason: Avoiding Complications
Despite the official reason being an injury, Le Provence reports that club chiefs might have another motive for leaving Greenwood out of the squad: avoiding a potentially complicated return to England. This match would have marked Greenwood’s first game on English soil since he faced serious legal charges.
Controversial Past and Career Move
Greenwood’s absence in England is notable given his controversial past. In January 2022, he was charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behavior, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. These charges led to his suspension from Manchester United. Although the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges in early 2023, Greenwood never played for Manchester United again. He resumed his career at Spanish side Getafe in the 2023/24 season before joining Marseille last month.
Greenwood’s Statement
At his unveiling at Marseille, Greenwood addressed his controversial departure from Manchester United, stating:
“I understand the questions, I don’t want to talk about it too much or get into debates and controversies. I already spoke about it on Thursday with the supporters and I spoke about it last season. I want to move forward, I want to be part of Olympique de Marseille.”
He emphasized his focus on football and community involvement, saying:
“My intention is really to concentrate on the football part. The staff and players told me about the foundation, associations and hospital visits and like the other players I will participate in these initiatives. This season I will try to play well for Marseille, at the Velodrome in front of fantastic fans. I have been waiting for this for a while and I can’t wait to play in front of this crowd. For the moment I am focused on what I have to do with my club.”
Public Reaction and Future Prospects
Greenwood’s move to Marseille was met with mixed reactions. Last month, the mayor of Marseille urged the club not to sign Greenwood due to his “unspeakable” past behavior, but the club proceeded with the signing, securing him on a five-year deal.
Conclusion
Mason Greenwood’s exclusion from the Marseille squad for the friendly against Sunderland has raised eyebrows, with official reports citing a muscle injury and speculation suggesting a strategic decision to avoid complications in England. As Greenwood looks to rebuild his career at Marseille, his focus remains on football and contributing positively to his new team and community.
