'Extraordinary' Mason Greenwood told how to reach next level with Marseille as ex-Man Utd forward makes return to Champions League stage

Greenwood’s numbers in France are already formidable. Since his move to Marseille in 2024, he has netted 24 goals in 40 appearances, with 21 of those coming in his first Ligue 1 campaign - enough to make him joint-top scorer. Yet critics argue the raw data doesn’t tell the whole story, as he is yet to consistently influence games at his will.

Speaking to L’Equipe, former Marseille striker Djibril Cisse issued a pointed but constructive challenge. “The margin of progression for Greenwood is to be more consistent, to be much more influential and impactful in the game,” he said. “We’ve seen his extraordinary technical quality, he provokes, he dribbles left or right, he destabilises opponents. But it needs to be repeated more often.”

Whereas, Mamadou Niang warned: "Some great players can afford not to make the run, but not at OM."

Under Roberto De Zerbi, Greenwood has been given the freedom to rediscover his attacking flair. The Italian coach has deployed him as a wide forward who can cut inside, or as a direct striker when needed, extracting the best of his finishing. But the Italian has also been firm in his demands for Greenwood to track back, press high, and contribute to the team’s structure.

The coach said on Greenwood: "He also worked on the defensive side, the pressing. He hasn't always worked in that direction, but when he wants to, he does it. You have to understand that if he wants to become a great top player, he has to run without the ball. I saw Mbappe, Dembele put pressure without the ball. Greenwood has to do it, too."

All eyes will be on Greenwood this week as De Zerbi’s side face a brutal double-header. First comes a trip to the Bernabeu to face Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid on Tuesday, a clash where the attacker will likely be asked to show discipline against a relentless Spanish side. Just days later, Marseille return home to take on Paris Saint-Germain in a fiery Ligue 1 showdown. For Greenwood, these two matches offer the ultimate audition to silence his doubters.