Marseille's English forward #10 Mason Greenwood celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Olympique Lyonnais
Mason Greenwood's form has been mixed for Marseille
Change is on the horizon for former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood – and it could be in more ways than one.
The 23-year-old reinvigorated Marseille's attack after cutting ties with the Red Devils last summer. However, his form has dipped after a bright start to his career in France and he was recently dropped from Roberto De Zerbi's XI amid reports the coaching staff have taken issue with the player's attitude.
Greenwood will be hoping to make a return to the Italian's team soon, with Marseille travelling to face Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday evening. And the match comes amid speculation over his international future, too, with the one-cap England attacker supposedly set to to switch his allegiances in a move which would set him up for a reunion with a familiar face.
It may not be the only major change Greenwood ends up making this summer as rumours swirl regarding another transfer. And Mirror Sport breaks down exactly how that stands to benefit United.
Marseille malaise
With 15 goals in Ligue 1 this season, only PSG forward Ousmane Dembele (20) leads the Marseille man in the race for France's Golden Boot. Nonetheless, Greenwood – who was sold by United last year after being charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling behaviour, though those charges were later dropped – was surprisingly dropped by his manager.
The Bradford native played only the second half in a 1-0 defeat at home to Lens, bringing an end to his run of scoring in four straight home league outings. RMC Sport reported he was axed after staff have become fed up with Greenwood's 'nonchalance', 'attitude' and 'lack of effort', with similar reports emerging during his days at Old Trafford.
Roberto DE ZERBI head coach of Marseille
Roberto De Zerbi recently made the decision to drop Mason Greenwood
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Icon Sport via Getty Images)
The decision to drop Greenwood aligns with comments former Brighton boss De Zerbi recently made about the player. "I wanted him here, I said it over and over again. He was the first player I contacted, even before I signed for OM.
"I had already spoken to his father. No one can have more respect for him than I do. But that doesn't change anything. I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough. If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined."
After being benched for the loss to Lens – Marseille's first home defeat since November 2024 – the manager will hope for a positive response from his players against PSG. However, Get French Football News reported Greenwood continued to train with substitutes ahead of Le Classique, with Bilal Nadir in pole position to get the nod instead.
Man Utd reunion
Steve McClaren Head Coach of Jamaica
Former Manchester United coach Steve McClaren was appointed Jamaica boss in July
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One manager who certainly appears to want Greenwood as part of his plans is Jamaica boss Steve McClaren. And after it was confirmed last year that the player has asked to switch his international loyalties, it seems only a matter of time before he's featuring for the Reggae Boyz.
McClaren was part of Erik ten Hag's coaching staff and spent two years at Old Trafford prior to taking over Jamaica's national team. His return took place some months after Greenwood was first suspended by the club – though he and McClaren share a past at United in common.
"We are in contact all the time, with him and his family," the Jamaica boss recently said when asked about Greenwood's progress in a potential switch. "I am very confident he only wants to play for Jamaica. It is up to him when he moves forward with that. The ball is in his court."
Greenwood won his sole England cap in a 1-0 UEFA Nations League win over Iceland in September 2020. However, he and team-mate Phil Foden were later sent home and fined after breaching Covid-19 guidelines.
Steve McClaren worked under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford (
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Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The Marseille player reportedly filed papers in August 2024 to switch allegiance to Jamaica, whom he is eligible to represent through his mother. And FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has since confirmed it was Greenwood who requested the change, rather than being told he would have no future with the team.
"So my understanding, and I'd have to double check my understanding, is he's asked to switch," said the FA boss. "That's happened formally, so he wouldn't be able to because you can only switch once.
"I know people asked Gareth [Southgate] about him and Gareth was up front in that he hadn't been in his thinking, because he hadn't been performing at that level, so I'm not aware of any communication we had with him. I don't think there was ever a request or anything like that. It just wasn't one we got to, so it's a personal decision by him."
Man Utd 'confident' of profit
Ruben Amorim stands to make a mint in the transfer market if Greenwood leaves Marseille this summer
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Amid all the talk regarding Greenwood's career moving in different directions at club and international level, it's possible fans see him subject to another transfer this summer. And Marseille's loss could very much be United's gain.
That's thanks to the 50% sell-on clause inserted in the player's contract when he joined Marseille for £26.6million last year. Les Olympiens are under no immediate pressure to sell given Greenwood's contract is due to run until 2029, but the right offer after a breakthrough campaign could bring about another switch.
United are "increasingly confident" their former asset will indeed move as interest in his signature swells. After all, Greenwood is just one goal from matching his career-best tally of 16 goals in a season with plenty of football still to play this term.
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Goal reported Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are taking an interest in the player, while Real Madrid have also been linked. That's in addition to PSG being mooted as a potential suitor if he wishes to remain in France.
It's believed the player is open to making a return to La Liga after he initially relaunched his career on loan at Getafe. United may not care so much for where the forward ends up next season, just as long as it secures them the highest possible cut of any future transfer fee to boost Ruben Amorim's own summer budget.
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