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4 months ago
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Mason Greenwood has broken his silence on the anger from supporters surrounding his controversial move from Manchester United to Marseille.
Greenwood, 22, officially sealed a deal worth around £30million - £27m plus £3.2m in add-ons - after undergoing a medical and signing his contract in France on Thursday, bringing an end to a protracted saga lasting over two years.
The forward had not played for United since January 2022 and spent last season on loan at LaLiga club Getafe, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists.
He was arrested in early 2022 and charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour that October. However, the charges and case were later dropped in February 2023 when key witnesses withdrew.
Greenwood has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Mason Greenwood has broken his silence on the backlash over his £30million Marseille move
The forward sealed his permanent departure from Manchester United after a protracted saga
Greenwood's switch to Ligue 1 drew staunch protests and he was even labelled a 'disgrace'
His Ligue 1 move has drawn staunch protests from supporters with the mayor of Marseille, Benoit Payan, even branding Greenwood 'a disgrace'.
But Greenwood has insisted he has put the past behind him and is now looking to the future with his partner, Harriet Robson, and their young daughter.
He told La Provence: 'Obviously, I am aware of this debate and I understand the question. I do not wish to enter into any controversy. I already had the opportunity to express myself on this subject last year, it is now behind us.
'With my partner, we rebuilt ourselves together, as a couple, we have just spent a year in Madrid. We have been together since we were 15, 16 years old, today we have a beautiful little girl who has just celebrated her first birthday.
'I am now looking towards the future and I am only focused on Olympique de Marseille and on our new life, together, in Marseille.'
Greenwood was arrested in early 2022 and charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour that October. The charges and case were later dropped
He has insisted he is now looking to the future with his partner Harriet Robson and their child
Greenwood received a rapturous response after touching down in France for his medical
United, as reported by Mail Sport, initially looked to reintegrate Greenwood into their first-team before backtracking after the decision was met with a fierce backlash. He then joined Getafe on loan and was named the club's player of the season.
'I understand people will judge me because of what they have seen and heard on social media, and people will think the worst,' Greenwood previously said.
'I was brought up to know violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong. I did not do the things I was accused of. However, I made mistakes in my relationship and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post.'
Greenwood could play his first game in England in more than two years this summer as part of Marseille's pre-season schedule. His unofficial debut, meanwhile, may come as soon as Sunday when his new club play Nimes in their first friendly.
On August 3, Marseille will travel to Valley Parade in his hometown of Bradford to face Sunderland in their penultimate game. Should Greenwood feature, it would be his first outing in a public match in England in two years, six months and 12 days.
Greenwood made 129 appearances for United, scoring 35 goals.
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