Former Manchester United star labelled ‘the best player in Ligue 1’ after summer transfer

Mason Greenwood has made an impressive start at Marseille (AFP via Getty)

Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has been hailed as ‘the best player in Ligue 1’ after just three games for Marseille.

Greenwood joined Marseille from United in the summer in a deal which could be worth up to €31.6 million (£26.6m).

The 22-year-old had not played for United since he was arrested in January 2022 for attempted rape, controlling behaviour and assault.

All charges against Greenwood were dropped in February 2023 and United had considered reintegrating him back into Erik ten Hag’s squad before the club received major backlash over his potential return.

Greenwood was allowed to leave United last year to spend the season on loan at Getafe but after impressing for the Spanish club, United decided this summer that the forward, who has been capped once by England, had no long-term future at Old Trafford.

Since joining Marseille, Greenwood has made a superb start to life in Ligue 1, scoring five goals in three appearances so far for Roberto De Zerbi’s side.

Mason Greenwood has scored five goals in three Ligue 1 games for Marseille (DPPI/Shutterstock)

And RMC Sport pundit, Daniel Riolo, has declared that Greenwood should already be regarded as standout player in the French top flight.

‘In terms of pure quality, over the first three games, Greenwood is perhaps the best player in Ligue 1,’ Riolo said.

‘We’re not going to talk about the past and the fact that he’s banned from England, we all know his story. We’re going to talk about the pitch, it’s extraordinary.

‘It’s maybe two or three flashes per match but it’s sharp, crazy.

‘His precision, his speed of execution, we’re watching a guy who has qualities that are well above average. He’s above Ligue 1, he’s a very great player.’

Meanwhile, former England midfielder, Chris Waddle, who played 149 games for Marseille during his career, also praised Greenwood’s start in France

‘He’s a very good player. He’s got the number 10 shirt and England seem to be producing a lot of good number 10s these days,’ Waddle told Flashscore.

‘He’s come out of the blocks very quick, started scoring goals from the off. The new England manager will be taking notice of this.

‘We all know the French league is quite strong but it’s not as strong as three or four other leagues in Europe now, you’ve got to take that into account.

‘It is not as strong as the Premier League, La Liga or the Bundesliga. But all he can do is do what he’s doing in Marseille. Score goals and play well.’

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