Roberto De Zerbi hails Mason Greenwood as a ‘great guy’ after former Man United striker scores winner for Marseille against Nantes

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has hailed Mason Greenwood as a ‘great guy’ after he scored the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Nantes on Sunday.

The former Manchester United striker struck from the edge of the penalty area while Neal Maupay also scored to send Marseille second in Ligue 1, six points off PSG. 

Greenwood has scored seven goals in 10 games this season and is reportedly eager to speak with Thomas Tuchel over a return to the England squad after being exiled by United and the Three Lions.

He was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in October 2022, but the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew and with ‘new material coming to light’.

De Zerbi said: ‘First of all, he’s a great guy. He’s very committed and always gives everything he has. He’s a very strong player and he makes the difference for OM.

Roberto De Zerbi called Mason Greenwood a ‘great guy’ after he scored Marseille’s winner over Nantes on Sunday 

The former Brighton manager has been quick to defend his striker since he signed in July

‘I was surprised by Greenwood last week because he didn’t play well (in a 3-0 loss to PSG). He was far from his standards. Tonight, I wasn’t surprised by Greenwood.’ 

Greenwood joined Marseille from United on a £30million deal in July. He had not played for them since January 2022, the month he was arrested. 

He went on loan to LaLiga side Getafe last season. 

There he scored 10 goals in 33 games and was embraced by the fans, selling more shirts in one week than any player in the club’s history. 

There were staunch protests from Marseille fans before the club signed him in July. 

A group of fans launched a ‘#GreenwoodNotWelcome’ campaign when he was initially linked with the club.

Even mayor Benoit Payan opposed the move, insisting that he does not want the club ‘shamed by someone who hits his wife’.

However, De Zerbi, who left Brighton in the summer, has been fully behind his striker.

Greenwood saw charges of attempted rape and assault against him dropped last year

The former Man United striker has scored seven goals in 10 games this season for Marseille

‘I said that when a player becomes my player, I am the first to pin him to the wall when he makes a mistake,’ he told L’Equipe.

‘But towards the outside, I will always defend him as I would defend my son.’