Mason Greenwood breaks silence on controversy surrounding transfer to Marseille from Man Utd

French side Marseille have splashed out €30 million (£25m/$34m) to land Greenwood on a permanent transfer from Manchester United. The striker leaves Old Trafford after a season on loan at Getafe, but his move to Ligue 1 has drawn protests from supporters. Marseille mayor Benoit Payan has also opposed the transfer, calling on the club not to sign the Man Utd outcast and branding Greenwood "a disgrace."

Opposition to Greenwood's move has come due to his arrest in January 2022. He was then charged with attempted rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behaviour but the charges were discontinued in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew and "new material came to light." Greenwood has not played for United since his arrest but says he has put the past behind him and is looking to the future with his partner Harriet Robson and their baby daughter.

He told La Provence: "Obviously, I am aware of this debate and I understand the question. I do not wish to enter into any controversy. I already had the opportunity to express myself on this subject last year, it is now behind us. With my partner, we rebuilt ourselves together, as a couple, we have just spent a year in Madrid. We have been together since we were 15, 16 years old, today we have a beautiful little girl who has just celebrated her first birthday. I am now looking towards the future and I am only focused on Olympique de Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille."

Greenwood also faced opposition last season in La Liga after signing on loan at Getafe but went on to win the club's Player of the Season award, scoring 10 goals for Jose Bordalas' side. The 22-year-old will aim to win over supporters in France next season as he begins a new challenge in Ligue 1.