Mason Greenwood scores two goals on Marseille debut in first match since permanent Manchester United exit

Joe Wright

Mason Greenwood scores two goals on Marseille debut in first match since permanent Manchester United exit image

Mason Greenwood enjoyed a goal-scoring debut for Marseille in his first match in Ligue 1 following his permanent transfer away from Manchester United.

The English forward found the net on two occasions in the first half, the second via a penalty, as l'OM thrashed Brest 5-1 in their opening game of the 2024/25 French top-flight season.

Greenwood scored after only three minutes of the match, sprinting clear down the right wing before finding the bottom corner with his right foot from a tight angle.

He then converted from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after Luis Henrique, who also scored twice, had made it 2-0.

It was Greenwood's first competitive fixture since he was sold by United in July following a loan spell with Getafe in the 2023/24 season.

The 22-year-old was removed from consideration for the United first team after he was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Those charges were later discontinued after the Crown Prosecution Service said that "a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction".

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How much did Man United sell Mason Greenwood for?

Greenwood completed a permanent transfer to Marseille on a five-year deal in July 2024.

According to reports, the deal could be worth as much as €31.6 million ($34.9 million) depending on bonuses being activated.

Benoit Payan, the mayor of Marseille, said it was "a disgrace" that the club had chosen to sign the player in the wake of the criminal investigation.

Greenwood, who had previously denied the allegations before the charges were discontinued, said in a statement last August: "I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and I know people will think the worst.

"I was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.

"However, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post."

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.