“England would have won the Euro’s with this kid” - Ex-Marseille star says Mason Greenwood ‘deserves’ second chance amid Manchester United exit

Joey Barton has controversially backed Mason Greenwood as the Manchester United forward is set to leave England for Ligue 1 side Marseille. The English attacker is departing Old Trafford permanently after spending last season on loan at La Liga outfit Getafe.

Greenwood is leaving his boyhood club for Roberto De Zerbi's Phoceens. He's set to undergo a medical ahead of a €30 million move to the Stade Velodrome, where he'll sign a five-year contract.

Barton spent several years playing for Marseille in Ligue 1, and he hailed the move for the young Englishman. He alluded to the Bradford-born forward's January 2022 arrest for sexual assault-related charges. The 22-year-old was acquitted after key witnesses withdrew from the case.

The now-retired former English midfielder wrote on X that England would have won the Euros if the one-cap striker had played. Gareth Southgate's Three Lions lost 2-1 to Spain in the final:

"That is a great signing. The kid deserves a chance to get on with his career. We all make mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. England would have won the Euro’s with this kid in the side."

Barton touched on Greenwood's spell at Getafe, where he posted 10 goals and six assists in 36 games across competitions. This came after Manchester United decided not to reinstate him into Erik ten Hag's first team:

"He’s as good player. As any in that Euro’s squad. His behaviour and the public fallout has massively affected his performance, yet he went to an average team in Spain. (And got himself back on track!)."

Mason Greenwood rose through the youth ranks at Manchester United before debuting in the senior team in March 2019. He made 129 appearances, posting 35 goals and 12 assists. After his arrest two years ago, there was no way back for him at Old Trafford when video and audio evidence of said charges entered the public domain.

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Roberto De Zerbi's controversial stance on Mason Greenwood's arrival at Marseille from Manchester United

New Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi received backlash for his comments regarding Mason Greenwood's impending arrival at the Stade Veledrome. The former Brighton & Hove Albion coach disregarded the player's background and insisted he'd consider him 'his child' once the transfer finalized (via The Mirror):

"Greenwood isn't recruited yet, so there isn't much to say. He's a champion, an international level player. I don't know what happened, I'm not concentrating on private lives. When a player signs for the club, I consider him my child. Even if I can pull his ear in private, I will defend him publicly. My players are like my sons."

Mason Greenwood's transfer was met with concerns in Marseille with fans launching a social media campaign opposing the move. The city's mayor Benoit Payan also made clear he objected the move but his stance appears to have fallen on deaf ears.