Mason Greenwood leaves Man Utd in cut-price transfer as short statement released

Mason Greenwood ended his turbulent Manchester United career on Thursday night with a permanent move to French club Marseille.

Greenwood, who has not played for United for two-and-a-half years, has signed a five-year contract with Marseille in a deal worth up to £26.6million. The 22-year-old forward, who spent last season on loan at Spanish side Getafe, was suspended by United in January 2022 when he was arrested by police.

Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but the Crown Prosecution Service ultimately decided to discontinue the case against him, following the withdrawal of co-operation from key witnesses.

United had planned to reintegrate Greenwood into the first-team squad at the start of last season, only to reverse that decision at the last minute, amid fears of a public backlash. In a brief statement, United wrote: "Mason Greenwood has left Manchester United and joined French club Olympique de Marseille on a permanent transfer.

"The 22 year-old English forward, who spent last season on loan at Getafe in Spain, made 129 appearances and scored 35 goals for United since making his debut in 2019. We wish Mason all the best in his future career."

The French giants have moved to bring him in despite notable opposition from those in and around the city. United too have ensured they will profit from any future move as they'll be entitled to a significant cut of any future fee Marseille receive.

The former United man, who was once tipped for huge things at Old Trafford, will attempt to revive his career with the Ligue 1 outfit. “Constructive” meetings were held with football executives in Manchester as they desperately sought to find him a new club.

He was pictured at the airport in Marseille on Wednesday evening and has now completed the transfer. Greenwood replaces former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose departure from Marseille was confirmed on the same day.

Mason Greenwood has left Manchester United
(Image: PA)

Greenwood will team up with Roberto de Zerbi, who was recently appointed following his exit from Brighton. The club's decision to move for Greenwood has angered their fans, who begun a campaign called #GreenwoodNotWelcome, urging the club to abort the move or risk doing "irreversible damage” to the club.

United decided to loan out Greenwood last summer following an internal review into his situation. After the charges were dropped, and following an apparent U-turn, the club decided he wouldn’t play another game for them.

De Zerbi has insisted he would defend Greenwood and was unaware of the issues he'd faced off the pitch. He said: “He's a champion, an international level player. I don't know what happened, I'm not concentrating on private lives.

"When a player signs for the club, I consider him my child. Even if I can pull his ear in private, I will defend him publicly. My players are like my sons."

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