Ex-Man Utd ace Mason Greenwood stopped from answering question in tense press conference after Marseille transfer
MASON GREENWOOD was stopped from answering questions on past allegations at his official Marseille unveiling.
Manchester United confirmed his transfer exit with a short 57-word statement on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old touched down in France on Wednesday to pen a contract until 2029 in a deal that could be worth over £30million – just before the Red Devils announced the £52m arrival of Leny Yoro from Lille.
The one-cap England forward will cost Ligue 1 giants Marseille an initial £27m plus £3.2m in add-ons.
United also have a 50 per cent sell-on clause included in the package.
Greenwood, who will wear No 10 for Marseille, joined United’s development academy in Halifax, West Yorkshire, aged six.
He went on to progress through the ranks and made his senior debut in 2019 before becoming a first-team regular.
Greenwood was then suspended by the club in January 2022 before being charged nine months later of attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour towards a woman.
He denied all claims, with all criminal charges eventually being dropped in February 2023.
Greenwood joined Spanish side Getafe on loan last season and shone at the LaLiga side, winning their Player of the Year prize.
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And it was his displays there that had a number of clubs across Europe chasing his services.
It was Marseille that eventually won the transfer chase for Greenwood after he was told he no longer had a future at Man Utd.
But at his introductory press conference with the French media on Friday, talk awkwardly turned to his past.
RMC Sport say Greenwood did not respond to any question about his past accusations, then a Marseille press officer stepped in to cut another one on it short, only for the journalist to repeat it.
The striker refused again to answer but he had earlier stated his reasons for not addressing the controversy regarding his move.
He said: “I understand the questions, I don’t want to talk about it too much or get into debates and controversies.
“I already spoke about it on Thursday with the supporters and I spoke about it last season.
“I want to move forward, I want to be part of Olympique de Marseille.
“My intention is really to concentrate on the football part. The staff and players told me about the foundation, associations and hospital visits and like the other players I will participate in these initiatives.
“This season I will try to play well for Marseille, at the Velodrome in front of fantastic fans.
“I have been waiting for this for a while and I can’t wait to play in front of this crowd. For the moment I am focused on what I have to do with my club.”
Marseille moved quick to strike their deal – despite it being against the wishes of many fans who started a campaign called #GreenwoodNotWelcome.
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan has also openly opposed the move and said that he would lobby the club’s president Pablo Longoria to call it off.
But Longoria, who was present with Greenwood, said: “I understand that his arrival raises questions and concerns.
“I respect everyone’s opinions but I do not want to get into controversy. It is the past, a complex and old situation. Mason has spoken about it.
I understand the questions, I don’t want to talk about it too much or get into debates and controversies.
Mason Greenwood
“I have spoken with all parties around the file, I have a personal involvement in this file.
“The club has a very professional and meticulous approach. It is time to talk about the future, we are talking about the future.
“He has all the values that we want to develop in the club like all his teammates who are here and those who will arrive.”
Meanwhile, Greenwood will not have to wait long to make his return to England – and his hometown.
On August 3, Bradford-born Greenwood could be in action for Marseille in a friendly with Sunderland at League Two side Bradford City‘s Valley Parade.
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