Mason Greenwood snubs Cristiano Ronaldo for another ex-Man Utd team-mate when naming best player he's worked with AND sides with Lionel Messi in GOAT debate

Reports from inside United’s dressing room during Ronaldo’s second coming painted a picture of a frustrated superstar. Without specifically naming Greenwood, Ronaldo, always known for his meticulous approach to football, expressed his dissatisfaction with the club's younger stars in public. He once said: "I don’t mean only in football, this new generation since probably 1995 they are thinking different. The life, the football, the struggles, this has to come from inside of you. You have to accept some times that you don’t agree with."

Meanwhile, Greenwood was spoken to by United officials for allegedly claiming behind the scenes that Ronaldo's career was "dead", according to The Athletic.

With manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer struggling to get both players on the same page, it seemed inevitable that their partnership at United wouldn’t last. Ronaldo left the club in November 2022, while Greenwood was sold to Marseille last year after a loan spell at Getafe. United decided to part ways with Greenwood after an internal investigation into his conduct off the pitch, despite criminal charges against him being dropped in February 2023.

In a rapid fire with Marseille's media team this week, Greenwood was asked to name the best player he’s ever shared a pitch with. He didn’t even flinch and answered Bruno Fernandes, another of his former United team-mates, who has been a constant creative presence on the field.

Greenwood also didn’t hesitate to choose Lionel Messi over Ronaldo in the ultimate “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) showdown. When asked to choose between the two legends of the game, he sided with the Argentine maestro. He then named his main idol as the Brazilian Ronaldo, a player whose brilliance in the late 1990s and early 2000s clearly left a lasting impression on Greenwood. When asked to name the best finisher he has seen, though, Greenwood opted for Harry Kane.

Greenwood’s move to Marseille has proven to be a game-changer for the young forward. In his first season in Ligue 1, he netted 21 goals and provided six assists, finishing as joint-top scorer alongside Ousmane Dembele. This season, Greenwood hasn’t slowed down, already contributing three goals and four assists across nine matches in all competitions. His decisive goal in the Champions League against Real Madrid has only added to his growing reputation as a player capable of making a difference on the big stage.

It’s clear that Greenwood has found a new lease on life in France. With his form continuing to impress, Greenwood will be looking to add to his goal tally when Marseille face Le Havre on October 18 after the international break.