Mason Greenwood moved on to Marseille in 2024(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood is set to pose the biggest threat to Newcastle United's hopes of another Champions League win when they take on Marseille on Tuesday night.
The winger has been rebuilding his career after his controversial spell at Old Trafford which saw him suspended after he was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour.
The Crown Prosecution Service later discontinued these proceedings, and all charges were dropped a year later. However, Greenwood's situation was deemed so toxic among the fanbase and club that he never played for Man Utd again. Instead, he was loaned out to Getafe.
Greenwood has impressed for the French side since making the permanent move back in the summer of 2024. The transfer saw Man Utd earn a fee of £26.7million, but they also have a sell-on clause inserted into the deal which sees them receive half of any fee earned by Marseille.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a January transfer, and watching sides will be watching even closer, given his performance against Nice. Greenwood was on the scoresheet twice in a 5-1 away win on Friday night as his side kept the pressure on leaders Paris St Germain at the top of Ligue 1.
They face Newcastle next at the Velodrome on Tuesday night in what is sure to be a tight game in an electric atmosphere. Newcastle fans [have already been warned about travel restrictions when in France](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-issue-marseille-statement-32870174).
On the pitch, there will be a lot of players in the Marseille side that Newcastle know about already. Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led the line against Nice on Friday, with England international Angel Gomes - scouted by the Magpies - in behind him.
In defence, Emerson - who won the Champions League with Chelsea and who also played for West Ham - lines up at left-back, while Newcastle were interested in signing Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi in the summer, before plumping for Malick Thiaw.
Also in the squad are the likes of ex-Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley, former Brighton and Everton striker Neal Maupay, Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Matt Riley, who is on loan from Brighton.
Greenwood is the main man, however, and he sent a clear threat to Newcastle's defence about what they can expect when they come face to face with him.
In a rare interview with Ligue 1 Plus, Greenwood opened up on a technique he uses to help keep himself calm when in goalscoring opportunities, one which he will look to use tomorrow.
“The night before a game, I’m in bed and you’re just visualising things in your head, moments on the pitch,” he said. “And when I go out to warm up on the pitch, I like to visualise, maybe if I’m in certain situations I’ll do this or do that, so when it comes to it it’s second nature really, I can just do it straight away.”
He also spoke about the advantage of being able to use both feet when in a dangerous position. Greenwood usually operates on the right side of the attack, and while his left foot is his favoured one, he has the ability to score and cross with either, meaning whoever plays at left-back on Tuesday - Lewis Hall, Dan Burn or even Tino Livramento - will have their work cut out to stop him.
Greenwood warned: “When you’ve got both feet, the defender sometimes likes to show you one way on to your weaker side or on to another side, which I like, because if he’s showing me or wants to push me, I’ll take the opportunity because I can shoot on the right side.
"Or if he wants to show me to the left, I can take the opportunity on the left.”
Greenwood now has 11 goals this season, including four he scored against Le Havre earlier this season. He has been praised by coach Roberto De Zerbi, who warned him last season that he 'wasn't showing enough' in training and games.
"It's true that Mason can do more, not just in terms of goals scored because in that area he doesn't need to do better," the former Brighton boss said. "He's already a top player in front of goal, but he can become one of the best players in the world, because he has the ability.
"He can improve in helping the team when it needs it, when it's necessary. But I want to protect Mason from criticism, he's always scored a lot of goals and never missed a training session. But he still has room for improvement."