Mason Greenwood’s Marseille adventure has been full of highs and lows, and after a tricky spell earlier this year, it looks like the former Manchester United forward is back to doing what he does best. Speaking candidly, Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has opened up about Greenwood’s recent dip in form — but insists the Englishman’s “speed and explosiveness” have returned just in time for the business end of the season.
Roberto De Zerbi Opens Up on Mason Greenwood’s Dip in Form at Marseille
When Mason Greenwood swapped Manchester for the south of France last summer, there was a real buzz around the Velodrome. The young forward made an electric start to life in Ligue 1, quickly establishing himself as one of Marseille’s most dangerous attacking outlets. However, as the long season dragged on, Greenwood’s performances began to dip — a natural ebb and flow that even the best players experience.
Since early March, Greenwood had managed just two goals in six Ligue 1 outings, leading to whispers among fans and pundits about a potential slump. But those concerns were firmly put to bed last weekend when Greenwood bagged a brilliant brace in Marseille’s emphatic 5-1 demolition of Montpellier. For De Zerbi, it was a clear sign that his star forward is back at his explosive best.
Marseille Boss Makes “Speed and Explosiveness” Claim About Ex-Man Utd Forward Mason Greenwood
Roberto De Zerbi, who took over at Marseille following his successful stint at Brighton, was quick to defend Greenwood’s recent form when speaking to the media.
“I think that physically, everyone is back. We see with Mason Greenwood, his speed and explosiveness have returned,” De Zerbi said.
The Italian coach went on to explain that slight dips in form are simply part and parcel of a long football season. Over the course of 10 months and more than 30 competitive matches, physical and mental fatigue inevitably creep in, even for the most talented players.
“It’s normal physiologically, over 10 months, over 33 matches, there is a drop sometimes,” De Zerbi continued.
“We had injuries — Murillo against Nantes, Hojbjerg too, Balerdi… There are different reasons. These are not excuses, but these are situations that led us to this drop in form. We have to make decisions, we have to do it at the right time.”
His words will no doubt come as a confidence boost to Greenwood, who has been under intense scrutiny since his high-profile move to Ligue 1. But if his latest performance is anything to go by, Greenwood seems ready to finish the season with a bang.
Mason Greenwood Regains Form As Marseille Push For Champions League Spot
While Greenwood’s recent return to form is a huge positive, Marseille still have work to do. With just four matches remaining in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season, De Zerbi’s side are locked in a tense battle to secure a coveted Champions League place for next year.
Currently sitting just inside the top three, Marseille know that every point counts. Their next big test comes this Sunday night when they welcome Brest to the Velodrome — a must-win clash against one of the season’s surprise packages.
Greenwood’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time. Not only is he second in the Ligue 1 Golden Boot race, trailing only Ousmane Dembele by three goals, but his renewed sharpness could prove decisive as Marseille look to cross the finish line in style.
A Champions League spot would be a major success for Marseille and De Zerbi in their first season working together — and it would provide Greenwood with the European stage he craves to showcase his talents once more.
Roberto De Zerbi Confident Mason Greenwood’s “Speed and Explosiveness” Will Be Key in Season Run-In
De Zerbi’s belief in Greenwood’s ability is clear. The Italian manager has placed a huge amount of trust in the 22-year-old, and that trust is now starting to pay dividends. After months of hard work behind the scenes — recovering fitness, fine-tuning his movement, regaining that killer instinct — Greenwood finally looks like the player Marseille fans fell in love with earlier in the season.
With four games to go, there’s a real sense of excitement building around the Velodrome. Greenwood, with his pace, power, and clinical finishing, could yet be the difference-maker in Marseille’s Champions League charge.
If he maintains the form he showed against Montpellier, there’s every chance he’ll close the gap on Dembele in the Golden Boot standings too. And you can be sure Greenwood will be motivated by that personal accolade — not just for the glory, but as a way of proving to himself, and the wider football world, that he is truly back.
What Next For Mason Greenwood and Marseille?
Looking ahead, Marseille’s immediate focus will be on taking care of business against Brest. But beyond that, the club is already starting to dream of a bright future — one where Greenwood is at the heart of their plans.
Whether Marseille can keep hold of Greenwood long-term remains to be seen. Bigger clubs across Europe are reportedly keeping tabs on his progress, and with his form surging again, the summer could be a lively one.
For now, though, the focus is simple: finish the season strongly, secure that Champions League ticket, and let Greenwood do what he does best — terrorize defenders with that blistering speed and deadly explosiveness that made him a star in the first place.
After a tough few months, Mason Greenwood is back — and just in time for Marseille’s biggest moments of the season.
