The secrets behind Mason Greenwood's success in Marseille have been revealed by the French media.
Greenwood, who completed his controversial departure from Manchester United by joining Marseille in July, has had a fruitful four months at the Ligue 1 club, recording eight goals and two assists in 11 appearances so far.
The 23-year-old attacker was arrested in January 2022 on charges of attempted rape, sexual assault and coercive behavior – and was cleared of wrongdoing 13 months later when the charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
However, Manchester United did not stick with Greenwood and loaned him to Getafe last season, where he impressed by winning the Player of the Season award.
Greenwood's transfer to Marseille was riddled with controversy as fan groups protested the move, and even mayor Benoit Payan publicly opposed the team's pursuit of the former England international, claiming: 'I don't want my club to be covered in the shame of a man who beats his wife.'
But since his arrival, Greenwood has taken to his new life in Marseille extremely well, reportedly building strong relationships with teammates in the dressing room and impressing supporters on the pitch with his goal-scoring talent.
In fact, he has quickly become Marseille's star man under Roberto De Zerbi, who vowed to 'publicly defend' Greenwood shortly after his arrival, and no player at the club has sold more jerseys than him so far this season.
Marseille are third in Ligue 1 behind table toppers Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, who are nine and three points ahead respectively.
According to RMC Sport, Greenwood's success at Marseille can be attributed to a detailed strategy from the club.
The French newspaper claims that Marseille's staff have mainly given Greenwood positive words of encouragement on the training pitch and on the sidelines, as the Man United exile has been exposed to a lot of negativity since his arrest in 2022.
The strategy has been labeled 'positive management' by the French club, who are said to have turned a blind eye to Greenwood's minor mistakes such as slight offside.
However, it is also claimed that De Zerbi still knows when to 'stab' Greenwood. The Italian had a one-on-one meeting with the disgruntled star after telling Marseille fans he expected 'much more' from him during an informal meeting with followers.
In this case, Greenwood reportedly “listened sensibly and nodded.”
Another of Marseille's strategies is to 'focus only on football' when it comes to Greenwood, given the public outcry over his sexual abuse allegations.
Club chairman Pablo Longoria believes fans are being won over 'little by little' by Greenwood's performances on the pitch and has publicly praised the striker for his attitude in training.
He told Spanish newspaper Relevo in September: 'His behavior has been excellent since his arrival in Marseille. He has adapted very well. We are very proud to have Mason among us.
'Everything I was told about him at Getafe has been confirmed. We gathered all the necessary information before we decided to sign him.”
Part of the club's strategy is also to build a strong relationship with Greenwood's family, especially his father Andrew, who picks him up from training and occasionally accompanies him on sessions.
As Mail Sport reported earlier this season, the player is currently living with his family and feels very much at home in the city of Marseille.
“(Greenwood) is a real homebody,” a source close to the Marseille dressing room told RMC Sport. 'Everyone at the training center agrees that he is a very polite and friendly young man. And if he goes out, he never will.” only. He's always a little worried and vigilant.”
Greenwood's closest friends in the Marseille camp are reportedly Amine Harit, with whom he has a very strong bond, and younger players such as Darryl Bakola and Jonathan Rowe.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who joined Tottenham on loan from Marseille at the start of the season, confirmed Greenwood's popularity in the dressing room at the start of the season, saying: 'Mason is very popular in the dressing room.
“We are not going to talk about him as a star or the best player because he has to continue to work seriously and help the team. If he doesn't score it doesn't matter, but he has to help the team.'
It seems many, especially among the Marseille fanbase, are already praising the controversial forward as the club's next superstar.
Those who were strongly opposed to Greenwood's move have not disappeared overnight, however, and it will come as no surprise that criticism at every corner of the Marseille striker's career will continue.
With that in mind, the French club have reportedly encouraged Greenwood to make regular visits to their 'Player Care' department, which has been strengthened in recent months since the star's controversial arrival.
Marseille fear Greenwood will continue to be harassed and abused by some supporters due to his recent past and have given the 23-year-old a place to go if he needs emotional support.
In time, Marseille hopes to give Greenwood more opportunities to connect with fans through the media, but for now we're happy to let him speak on the pitch until – if that ever happens – the dust has completely settled.
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