Key Takeaways
- Mason Greenwood, former Manchester United striker, has returned to Manchester for training after a year-long stint with Marseille.
- Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behavior in October 2022, but all charges were dropped in October 2023.
- Greenwood is currently residing in France, playing for Ligue 1's Marseille, where he scored 21 league goals this season, tying for the top spot with Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembele.
- Greenwood's performance at Marseille has been praised by midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who compared his talent to Jude Bellingham.
Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood is back in Manchester, approximately 12 months after he left the club for Marseille. The Bradford-born striker kicked off his football journey at the tender age of six, when he joined Manchester United's academy ranks. He eventually graduated to a first-team debut under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019, and at 17, he made history as Manchester United's youngest European goalscorer.
In October 2022, Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behavior. The Crown Prosecution Service later discontinued these proceedings, and all charges were dropped a year later. After his arrest, Greenwood was suspended by United and was loaned to Spanish side Getafe. Last July, he permanently parted ways with Old Trafford, joining Ligue 1's Marseille in a deal worth £26.6 million.
Just 12 months after his Manchester exit, Greenwood is back in the Manchester area, training with what appears to be peers and coaches at Chadderton FC. The North West Counties Football League Premier Division side, based in Oldham, boast a modern 3G pitch, where Greenwood was spotted participating in sprints and shooting drills alongside former Red Devils team-mate D'Mani Mellor.
Mellor, who joined the club's youth setup at the age of eight, experienced a series of loan moves before permanently departing for Wycombe Wanderers in 2022. The 24-year-old now plays for Macclesfield and was pictured alongside Greenwood earlier this month as the two took part in another training session at a Manchester-based facility.
Greenwood is primarily residing in France, close to his current club Marseille. This season, he scored 21 league goals, tying for the top spot with Ballon d'Or contender and Champions League winner Ousmane Dembele. His Marseille side finished in second place and will compete in the Champions League next season, with another ex-United starlet, Angel Gomes, newly recruited.
Greenwood's impact on this campaign was praised by another of the club's midfielders, Adrien Rabiot, who told The Athletic: "Mason is an incredible player. If he hadn't had all of his problems, I think he'd have an image like (Jude) Bellingham. Mason would be the star. Because he's an exceptional player." Rabiot further stated, "He can score with his right foot and his left foot, he has an exceptional shot, he can dribble. We're very lucky to have him. When he's really focused, he does really great things."
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