Mason Greenwood was Marseille’s hero on Sunday night as the former Manchester United star scored at the death to seal a 2-1 win over Monaco in the Mediterranean derby.
The 23-year-old who completed his controversial exit from Old Trafford by joining Marseille in July, has enjoyed a fruitful four months with the Ligue 1 club, chalking up eights goals and two assists from 11 appearances so far.
Greenwood’s exit from Manchester took place after he was originally arrested in January 2022 for allegations of attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour — and was cleared of wrongdoing 13 months later when charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
A loan move to Getafe gave him a platform to reignite his career and Greenwood has subsequently starred ever since heading to the south of France on a permanent deal after former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi recruited the striker.
His time in France has seen Greenwood take Ligue 1 by storm and scored his ninth league goal of the season in 13 games as Marseille earned a last-minute victory over rivals Monaco.
Greenwood was handed the responsibility of taking the sudden death spot-kick after the referee deemed a handball had been committed inside the box when one of his team-mates tried to play a cross into a dangerous area.
Mason Greenwood was Marseille’s hero on Sunday night as the former Manchester United star scored at the death to seal a 2-1 win over Monaco
Greenwood smashed a penalty into the bottom corner to seal a dramatic late win over Monaco
The Bradford-born striker looked slightly nervous while waiting for the referee to blow his whistle, but dispatched the penalty confidently in the bottom corner to send the Stade Velodrome into raptures.
Greenwood was mobbed by his team-mates upon scoring and excitedly danced near the corner flag as the joy of scoring a last-minute winner truly set in.
His latest goal moves the Englishman to within just one strike of being Ligue 1’s top scorer with PSG talisman Bradley Barcola currently ahead of him on 10 goals.
Greenwood was mobbed by his team-mates upon scoring and excitedly danced near the corner flag
Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille side moved second in Ligue 1 after sealing a late victory
Victory saw Marseille leapfrog Monaco into second spot in the Ligue 1 standings on 26 points and are now just seven points being league leaders PSG who are favourites to lift another French top-flight title.
Greenwood’s stunning goalscoring form has seen him fast become Marseille’s star man under De Zerbi and no player at the club has sold more jerseys than him to date this campaign.
His exploits have also earned him attention back in England with new Three Lions head coach Thomas Tuchel yet to make a decision on whether he will be recalled to the national team.
Greenwood reportedly wants a meeting with the German and could decide to play for Jamaica instead if it becomes clear that he no longer has a future representing England.