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Mason Greenwood delivered a commanding response on Saturday, netting twice in Marseille's emphatic 5-1 victory over Montpellier—just hours after being publicly targeted by frustrated fans.
Ahead of the match at the Orange Velodrome, a section of the home support unveiled a provocative banner aimed at Greenwood and teammate Luis Henrique, urging the pair to “get a move on.” The message was a clear expression of dissatisfaction with the duo’s recent performances and perceived lack of effort.
Greenwood, however, let his football do the talking. The former Manchester United forward opened the scoring with a composed penalty in the eighth minute and struck again in the second half, bringing his Ligue 1 goal tally to 18 for the season—just behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, who leads the chart with 21 goals.
Despite his heroics, Greenwood has faced a turbulent few weeks. The 23-year-old was recently dropped from the starting XI by manager Roberto De Zerbi, who questioned his work rate. French media reports have also hinted at tensions behind the scenes, although sporting director Mehdi Benatia has refuted claims that teammates Adrien Rabiot and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg refused to play alongside Greenwood. Rabiot’s goal celebration with Greenwood on Saturday appeared to dismiss those rumours.
Greenwood’s journey at Marseille has been anything but smooth. After arriving from Manchester United following the collapse of legal proceedings related to serious allegations—charges which were dropped due to lack of evidence—he initially won over fans with dazzling performances. His debut saw him directly involved in five goals against Brest, raising hopes of a long-term redemption arc.
But a recent dip in form has seen local support waver. Marseille's ultras, known for their passion and high standards, have not held back in expressing their disappointment. Saturday’s banner was the latest indication that Greenwood still has work to do to fully win back their trust.
Nevertheless, De Zerbi remains publicly supportive of his player. The former Brighton boss recently praised Greenwood’s talent, while also acknowledging the need for him to adapt to the physical and mental demands of the French top flight.
“He has the natural ability to be a great,” De Zerbi said. “My job is to help him get there—whether with tough love or encouragement.”
Greenwood’s two-goal display helped Marseille leapfrog Monaco into second place, keeping their Champions League hopes alive. PSG, meanwhile, have already secured the Ligue 1 title and remain unbeaten with five matches to play.
With Marseille aiming for a strong finish, Greenwood’s form could prove decisive—not just for their campaign, but for his long-term future at a club where the spotlight never dims.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @olympiquedemarseille, Pixabay / jorono
