Mason Greenwood delivers perfect response after Roberto De Zerbi's angry comment

Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood has responded in emphatic style after Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi publicly slated him earlier in the month

Mason Greenwood has bounced back from strong criticism from his own manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Earlier this month, the Marseille boss criticised Greenwood for being 'out of shape' when asked why his forward had gone four games without a goal or assist. But the ex-Manchester United attacker responded in the best way possible – by getting back on the scoresheet.

He netted the fourth in a 5-0 thumping of Montpellier on Sunday – a result which helped Marseille move back to within three points of Ligue 1 table-toppers PSG. It brings Greenwood's tally to six goals in eight games for the season, five of which came in his first three matches for the club.

The 23-year-old joined Marseille from United in a £27million move this summer after being told he had no future at Old Trafford. He had something of a rocky start to life in the south of France, with pockets of Marseille supporters booing him on his debut.

But he silenced his critics by scoring twice in a 5-1 win over Brest, before following it up with three goals in the following two matches. Shortly after, he was labelled the standout player in French football by RMC Sport pundit Daniel Riolo.

"In terms of pure quality, over the first three games, Greenwood is perhaps the best player in Ligue 1," Riolo said. "We’re going to talk about [him on] 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."

Greenwood's latest goal comes amid reports he wants to sit down with new England manager Thomas Tuchel and The Football Association (FA) to discuss a possible route back into the Three Lions set-up. The Bradford-born ace has earned just one cap for his country, against Iceland in 2020, and hasn't been called up to the squad since being sent home from the camp alongside Phil Foden after footage emerged of the pair breaking Covid-19 restrictions during the trip.

In August, it was announced that Greenwood had filed papers to request a switch of international eligibility to Jamaica. However, it's understood he'd consider scrapping those plans if given assurances that an England comeback was possible.

A source told The Sun: "Mason knows his chances of playing for England again are very slim. But he wants to check with The FA and Tuchel now he has been appointed to see what they think. He is determined to play at the highest level and that means the World Cup. So if England don't want him, he'll switch to Jamaica and try and get to the 2026 World Cup that way."

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