Revealed: The secret details behind Marseille’s Mason Greenwood strategy – how ‘focusing on football’ and building a ‘bond of trust’ with his family has helped turn Man United’s exile into a star player in France

The secrets behind Mason Greenwood’s success at Marseille have been revealed by the French media. 

Greenwood, who completed his controversial exit from Manchester United 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.

The 23-year-old forward was 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.

Manchester United continued not to play Greenwood, however, and loaned him out to Getafe last campaign, where he impressed by winning the club’s Player of the Season award.

Greenwood’s transfer to Marseille was laced with controversy as fan groups protested the move, and even city mayor Benoit Payan publicly opposed the team’s pursuit of the former England international, claiming: ‘I don’t want my club to be covered with the shame of someone who hits his wife.’

But since his arrival, Greenwood has taken to his new life in Marseille extremely well, reportedly forging strong relationships with team-mates in the dressing room and impressing supporters on the pitch with his goal-scoring talents.

Greenwood joined Marseille from Manchester United in July in what was a controversial move

Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 for suspected attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour – but the charges were dropped 13 months later by the Crown Prosecution Service

In fact, he has fast become Marseille’s star man under Roberto De Zerbi, who vowed to ‘publicly defend’ Greenwood shortly after his arrival, and no player at the club has sold more jerseys than him to date this campaign.

Marseille sit third in Ligue 1 behind table toppers Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, who are nine and three points ahead respectively.

According to RMC Sport, Greenwood’s success at Marseille can be put down to a detailed strategy employed by the club. 

The French outlet claims Marseille’s staff have mostly been giving Greenwood positive words of encouragement on the training ground and touchline, given the Man United exile has been exposed to plenty of negativity since his arrest in 2022.

The strategy has been labelled as ‘positive management’ by the French club, who have reportedly turned a blind eye to Greenwood’s minor mistakes, such as being slightly offside.

It is also claimed, however, that De Zerbi still knows when to ‘sting’ Greenwood. The Italian had a one-on-one meeting with the disgruntled star after telling Marseille fans he expected ‘a lot more’ from him in an informal meeting with followers.

In this instance, Greenwood reportedly ‘listened wisely and nodded’.

Another strategy carried out by Marseille is to ‘focus only on football’ when it comes to Greenwood, given the public outcry over his sexual assault allegations.

The forward had not played for Manchester United since his arrest back in January 2022

Marseille mayor Benoit Payan publicly opposed Greenwood’s potential move to the club

But manager Roberto De Zerbi vowed to ‘publicly defend’ the forward after his Marseille move

Club president Pablo Longoria believes fans are being won over ‘little by little’ with Greenwood’s performances on the pitch and has publicly praised the forward for his attitude in training.

He told Spanish outlet Relevo in September: ‘His behavior has been excellent since his arrival in Marseille. He has adapted very well. We are very proud to have Mason among us.

‘Everything I was told about him at Getafe has been confirmed. We had gathered all the necessary information before making the decision to sign him.’

Part of the club’s strategy is also forming a strong relationship with Greenwood’s family, in particular his father Andrew who picks him up from training and occasionally accompanies him during sessions.

As Mail Sport reported earlier this season, the player is currently living with his family and feels very at home in the city of Marseille.

‘(Greenwood) is a real homebody,” a source close to the Marseille dressing room told RMC Sport. ‘At the training center, everyone agrees that he is a very polite and kind young man. And if he goes out, he is never alone. He is always a little worried and vigilant.’

Greenwood’s closest friends in the Marseille camp are reportedly Amine Harit, whom he has a very strong affiliation with, and younger players such as Darryl Bakola and Jonathan Rowe.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who joined Marseille on loan from Tottenham at the start of the season, confirmed Greenwood’s dressing room popularity at the start of the campaign, saying: ‘Mason is very well-liked in the locker room.

Marseille chief Pablo Longoria described Greenwood’s behaviour as ‘excellent’ since arriving

Greenwood has chalked up eights goals and two assists from 11 appearances for the club so far

Amine Harit is reportedly one of Greenwood’s closest friends in the Marseille dressing room

‘We’re not going to start talking about him as a star or the best player, because he has to continue working seriously and helping the team. If he doesn’t score, it doesn’t matter, but he has to help the team.’

It seems many, particularly among the Marseille fanbase, are already lauding the controversial forward as the club’s next superstar.

Those who fiercely opposed Greenwood’s move have not gone away overnight, however, and criticism will unsurprisingly remain around every corner of the forward’s Marseille career.

With that in mind, the French club have reportedly encouraged Greenwood to attend their ‘Player Care’ department regularly, which has been strengthened in recent months since the star’s controversial arrival.

Marseille fear Greenwood will continue to be ‘heckled and mistreated’ by some supporters due to his recent past and thus have given the 23-year-old a place to go should he need emotional support.

In time, Marseille hopes to give Greenwood more opportunities with the media to connect with fans, but for now are happy to let him doing the talking on the pitch, until — if ever — the dust settles fully.