Mason Greenwood meets up with former Man United team-mates Kobbie Mainoo and James Garner as Marseille star steps up preparations for new season

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Mason Greenwood has been spotted training in Manchester with former United team-mates Kobbie Mainoo and James Garner.
Greenwood, 23, is fresh off an impressive debut season for Marseille that saw him score 21 goals in 34 Ligue 1 appearances as the French side qualified for the Champions League.
The forward signed for Marseille last summer for a fee worth £27million, plus £3.2m in add-ons, after his 17-year association with United came to an end.
That came after the 23-year-old was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in October 2022, but the charges and case were dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew. Greenwood has always denied any wrongdoing.
The Red Devils then decided Greenwood would not be integrated back into the first team in the summer of 2023 after an internal investigation took place and sent him on loan to Getafe for the 2023-24 season, before his permanent move to Marseille.
And, on Tuesday, Greenwood was seen with Garner and Mainoo, two stars that also came through the United youth ranks, as he steps up his preparations for the new campaign.
Mainoo is three years younger than Greenwood and signed his first professional deal in 2022
Greenwood and Garner, who now plays for Everton, were both in the same age group in the academy and they also featured for the first team together on five occasions.
Mainoo is three years younger than Greenwood, but is a fellow academy product, and signed his first professional contract in May 2022.
In the photos, the trio were seen in training gear and with football boots at a council playing fields in Manchester.
Meanwhile, Greenwood has been linked with a move away from Marseille this summer after his 21 goals saw him share the Ligue 1 Golden Boot with PSG star and Ballon d'Or contender Ousmane Dembele.
Back in May, The Telegraph claimed that two Premier League clubs were weighing up a move for the forward, who has been seen honing his skills over the summer in various other clips that have emerged on social media.
However, the striker did face criticism at points in 2024-25 for his work rate, while he was also derided by supporters earlier this term and even dropped on one occasion by his supportive manager.
Nevertheless, De Zerbi has generally spoken glowingly of Greenwood and revealed in April that he believes he has the qualities to join the pantheon of all-time greats at Marseille.
'Greenwood is a natural talent,' the Italian said. 'All the credit goes to his mother and father. And I'm here to help him become more complete.
'When he needs a hug, a word of support, I gladly give it. And when I need to push him to give more, I have to do that too because that's my job.
'I would especially like to help him be remembered, in this stadium and by these supporters, as one of the greatest players to have played here at the Vélodrome.
'There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood has the qualities to be remembered that way. And I'm trying to help him progress.'
Marseille came second in Ligue 1 in 2024-25 which was enough for them to qualify for the Champions League, although they did finish 19 points behind champions PSG.