{"id":623862,"date":"2025-12-10T08:43:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T08:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/623862\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T08:43:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T08:43:15","slug":"mason-greenwood-leaves-french-press-gushing-with-champions-league-heroics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/623862\/","title":{"rendered":"Mason Greenwood leaves French press gushing with Champions League heroics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Mason Greenwood scored twice for Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday night<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_GettyImages-2250363380.jpg\" alt=\"Mason Greenwood\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Mason Greenwood scored twice in Marseille&#8217;s win over Union  Saint-Gilloise(Image: Catherine Steenkeste\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood starred for Marseille in their 3-2 win over Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on Tuesday night. The 24-year-old\u2019s brace in the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/uefa-champions-league\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">Champions League<\/a> improved his goal tally to 13 in all competitions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His crucial contributions in Belgium led to Marseille\u2019s third victory in six Champions League games, leaving Roberto De Zerbi\u2019s side 16th in the table ahead of Wednesday\u2019s fixtures. Following another impressive display from Greenwood, who has scored 35 goals in 56 games since joining the French club in 2024, the ex-Brighton boss was full of praise for the forward, although he feels there is still room for improvement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Yes, I think he&#8217;s one of the best strikers in Europe,&#8221; the Marseille boss told <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/rmcsport.bfmtv.com\/football\/ligue-des-champions\/il-doit-apprendre-a-ne-pas-forcer-le-heros-greenwood-rappele-a-l-ordre-par-de-zerbi-et-ses-coequipiers_AV-202512100115.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"RMC SportLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">RMC Sport<\/a>. &#8220;But even he, when we&#8217;re leading 3-1, needs to learn to manage the ball, not to force things and not to lose possession.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">De Zerbi added: \u201cHe&#8217;s a great player, but in those moments, I think he also needs to make the effort to hold onto the ball a little longer, to give us a bit more breathing room, to be more consistent defensively, at least by holding his position.&#8221; Here is a round-up of what French media said about Greenwood\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n<p>L\u2019Equipe<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">French publication <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lequipe.fr\/Football\/Actualites\/Sauve-par-le-var-a-deux-reprises-l-om-bat-l-union-saint-gilloise-et-prend-une-option-pour-la-qualification\/1615825\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"L\u2019EquipeLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">L\u2019Equipe<\/a> described Greenwood as being part of a &#8220;formidable&#8221; Marseille attack. Their match report said the ex-United star was &#8220;imperious when facing the opposing goalkeeper\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Part of a frontline that included Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Timothy Weah, it was Greenwood who got the plaudits as Marseille took a \u201csignificant step\u201d towards qualifying for the next stage. Summing up Greenwood\u2019s display, the match report said he was \u201cdynamic, mobile, and decisive\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, the French side did face adversity during the game. De Zerbi\u2019s side conceded the opening goal and faced a nervy end to the match after Union SG made it 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n<p>La Croix<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The match report from <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1528180&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.la-croix.com%2Fligue-des-champions-l-om-tremble-mais-touche-au-but-grace-a-greenwood-20251209%23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DPort%25C3%25A9%2520par%2520le%2520talent%2520de%2Cpar%2520la%2520f%25C3%25A9brilit%25C3%25A9%2520d%25C3%25A9fensive%2520marseillaise&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manchestereveningnews.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Farticle33030851.ece\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"La CroixLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">La Croix<\/a> stated the importance of Marseille\u2019s victory. Despite winning two of their three European home games, the 3-2 result in Belgium was their first victory on the road.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This important step was said to be &#8220;led by the talent of Mason Grenwood&#8221;. However, the outlet did concede that De Zerbi&#8217;s team had been helped by a &#8220;fragile&#8221; Union SG defence that &#8220;crumbled quite quickly&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Delivering its verdict on Marseille&#8217;s performance, the match report read: &#8220;Still inconsistent, still fragile, still difficult to read, De Zerbi&#8217;s team is moving forward, at least.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>La Provence<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.laprovence.com\/article\/om\/1538001925961214\/saint-gilles-om-2-3-greenwood-et-paixao-encore-decisifs-en-c1-decouvrez-les-notes-des-olympiens\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"La Provence&#039;s player ratingsLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">La Provence&#8217;s player ratings<\/a>, Greenwood was awarded an eight out of 10, the highest of any Marseille player. The outlet described the backheel that helped lead to his side&#8217;s equaliser from Paixao.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Greenwood&#8217;s goal to give Marseille the lead was described as &#8220;a fine run and a powerful finish&#8221;. However, it was in the publication&#8217;s <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.laprovence.com\/article\/om\/14161631934770\/om-union-saint-gilloise-2-3-cible-par-les-ultras-belges-et-auteur-dun-double-greenwood-sous-les-projecteurs\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"match reportLink opens in a new tab.\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\">match report<\/a> that the forward got the most praise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The report said that Greenwood was &#8220;seen as a messiah by OM fans&#8221; following his two goals. His movement with the ball was described as having the Union SG &#8220;defence dancing&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Here at the Manchester Evening News, we\u2019re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Make sure you don\u2019t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/BzSOMqKF6yTH2bkTz5J7z2\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">here<\/strong><\/a> to subscribe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. 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Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6Rf3zHSgSYkYIA4zaYPz5y\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Spotify<\/strong><\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=76202X1528180&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fpodcast%2Fmanchester-is-red-manchester-united-podcast%2Fid1264579243&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manchestereveningnews.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fhes-ready-man-united-already-31228583\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Apple Podcasts<\/strong><\/a>, and you can also watch along on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@ManUtd_MEN\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">YouTube<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Mason Greenwood scored twice for Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday nightMason Greenwood scored twice in Marseille&#8217;s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":623863,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[748,393,4884,2465,423,20073,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-623862","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-england","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-manchester","12":"tag-manchester-united-fc","13":"tag-mason-greenwood","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115694393198676505","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=623862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/623862\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/623863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=623862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=623862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=623862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}