Former Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood was involved in an on-field brawl during Marseille's pre-season victory over Aston Villa. The Ligue 1 side beat Unai Emery's Villans 3-1 in Saturday's pre-season clash, which was anything but friendly.
Greenwood put his side in the lead just five minutes into the game before John McGinn levelled the score. Ex-Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then netted twice to clinch a win for the French outfit, while Emery's men suffered their fifth pre-season defeat. Tensions spilt over when Greenwood, having shrugged off several robust challenges in quick succession, cynically tripped Amadou Onana from behind after the Villa midfielder had made a pass.
Onana seemed to take umbrage at the tackle, leading to a face-off between the two players. Greenwood was spotted laughing in the Belgian's face and appeared to blow a raspberry at Onana.
That prompted Villa team-mate Tyrone Mings to step in, with the situation escalating as the defender grabbed Greenwood's shirt and pulled him back and forth. Players from both sides stepped in to separate the pair while Greenwood's shirt was left torn by the altercation. However, despite their aggressive behaviour, neither player received a red card.
After the match, Greenwood posted pictures from the victory on Instagram but did not comment on the on-field clash. One photo showed the 23-year-old celebrating with his teammates. And he also shared a video of himself brushing off Mings' challenge before scoring the first goal.
Greenwood left his boyhood club United last summer after being suspended by the Red Devils in January 2022, following accusations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. All charges were later dropped and the winger moved to Getafe on loan on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2023.
His permanent move to Marseille in 2024 included a hefty sell-on clause in the agreement, should Marseille choose to sell him in the future.
Greenwood netted 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season, sparking rumours that he might be heading back to the Premier League. However, no such move has occurred, and Greenwood is set to play for Marseille in the Champions League this season.