Mason Greenwood was given a brutal 2/10 rating by one French newspaper (Image: Getty)
was given a brutal reality check after his latest performance for was mercilessly criticised by the French media. The former star was surprisingly dropped from Roberto De Zerbi’s starting lineup to face RC Lens on Saturday night. Marseille boss De Zerbi opted to bring on his main man at the half-time interval, but the change didn’t go as planned for the Italian tactician. Greenwood struggled to impact the game in his usual manner and several press outlets ripped into the 23-year-old.
description of Greenwood was typically brutal, branding him ‘unrecognisable’ in comparison to his past performances and comparing the Jamaica international’s second-half display to ‘a shadow’. He was given a 2/10 rating for his efforts – or lack thereof – as the hosts suffered a damaging home defeat. Marseille were heavy favourites to win at Stade Velodrome, given that their opponents Lens had lost their last four matches. However, the home side were unable to take their chances in front of goal and paid a heavy price when Neil El Aynaoui snatched an unlikely winner for Will Still’s men.
Greenwood joined the Ligue 1 team in the summer in a £27million deal from United, leaving Old Trafford on a permanent basis after spending a year on loan at Getafe in Spain. He hit the ground running with 16 goals in 27 appearances this season and bagged five in his last eight outings.
Normally a tricky forward with pace, close dribbling and an eye for goal, Greenwood was named on the bench by De Zerbi, who claimed his striker was not in a state of 100 per cent fitness. Not for the first time, his manager was left frustrated with his inconsistent efforts for the French side after previously saying he ‘didn’t like how he played’ against PSG in October.
Mason Greenwood has hit 16 goals for Marseille this season (Image: Getty)
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“I wanted him here, I said it over and over again,” De Zerbi said before the game. “He was the first player I contacted, even before I signed for OM. I had already spoken to his father.
“No one can have more respect for him than I do. But that doesn’t change anything: I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough.
“If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined.
Roberto De Zerbi dropped Mason Greenwood to the bench against RC Lens (Image: Getty)
“Otherwise, we as a team always fall back into the same pattern: a very good match, then a defeat at Auxerre, then a victory against Nantes… It’s too irregular, it’s like waves. And that’s something I don’t like.”
It now appears that Greenwood will need to work hard to win over the former Brighton boss in their next league fixture, with a daunting trip to Parc des Princes to face PSG in ‘Le Classique’ awaiting them on March 16.