Once again, Roberto De Zerbi was the one who praised Mason Greenwood after he scored twice on his debut for Marseille and said that his play could help him.

Greenwood scored his first goal in just three minutes during Marseille’s first game of the season, which they played at Brest. After winning and scoring a penalty, he scored his second goal in 30 minutes. 

The former outcast at Old Trafford was the first player signed by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. De Zerbi also joined the club this summer after leaving Brighton after their last game of the 2023–24 season, and he paid it back by making it 1-0.

His teammates praised his play, and he even shook hands with new teammate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the end of the game. He helped Marseille win 5-1 on the first weekend.

De Zerbi talked about the 22-year-old after the game, praising his efforts and saying that his play on the field should speak for itself.

The previous Brighton manager said of him after the game, via Fabrizio Romano, “He’s just exceptional.” You can tell he’s a good player.

“I’m glad he scored to put an end to all the trouble in the news.”

Greenwood played for Getafe on loan in La Liga last season. He hadn’t played for Manchester United since he was arrested in January 2022. 

After that, he was charged with attempted rape, violence, and abuse and control. 

The charges and case against Greenwood were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses dropped their cases. Greenwood strongly denied any crime.

De Zerbi pushed Marseille to sign Greenwood, even though fans and even the mayor of the French city spoke out against it. 

Benoit Payan, the mayor of Marseille, was against the deal because he didn’t want the club to be “shamed by someone who hits his wife.”

There were also strong protests from people who started the #GreenwoodNotWelcome movement in early July.

But De Zerbi told L’Equipe, “Greenwood was the first player I called.” I talked to his dad, who is probably my age.

“I told him, “Marseille in Marseille,” to warn him about what this club wants.

‘He told me: “I remember the historic Marseille which played in European Cup finals” .’

Even though some fans were upset with the player, De Zerbi said he would keep standing up for him.

He said, “I told them that if they became my player, I would be the first to pin them to the wall if they made a mistake.”

“But to other people, I will always stand up for him like I would for my son.”