De Zerbi makes stunning Mason Greenwood admission

Former Manchester United player Mason Greenwood was top of Roberto De Zerbi’s list of transfer priorities when he arrived at Marseille, the Italian head coach has revealed.

De Zerbi joined Marseille in the summer if a surprise move as he departed Brighton.

Tasked with rebuilding the Stade Velodrome club, which finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season, the Italian’s first enquiry was to the father of the former Man Utd player.

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Greenwood had spent a successful season on loan at Getafe, having been exiled from Old Trafford following serious accusations into his personal life, which the player claimed he was innocent of.

De Zerbi was unperturbed by these, as he explained to L’Equipe.

“Greenwood was the first player I called,” De Zerbi said. “I spoke with his father, who is the same age as me.

“I warned him about whaat the club is like and I told him: ‘Marseille is Marseille.’

“He told me: ‘I remember the historic Marseille teams that played in the final of the Champions League.’”

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De Zerbi: I didn’t defend Greenwood

Greenwood’s arrival at Marseille provoked anger from the mayor of the city due to the nature of the allegations aimed at the striker.

De Zerbi had previously made comments that were construed by many as playing down the severity of the claims made against Greenwood.

“I said that when a player becomes my player, I am the first to pin him to the wall if he makes a mistake. But towards the outside world, I will always defend him as I would defend my son,” he added.

“The questions over his personality don’t enter into my reasoning, I know what Pablo [Longoria, Marseille sporting director] did beforehand, all the human information he collected on Greenwood.”

Greenwood scored his first Marseille goal in friendly action against Pau and has also netted against Augsburg this summer.