Greenwood scored six goals in the final eight games of the season, equaling PSG’s Ousmane Dembele’s record and helping Marseille qualify for the Champions League. According to a report in La Provence, Benatia tried to move the 24-year-old due to his lack of defensive work, but manager Greenwood is said to have deliberately avoided the sporting director at the club’s facilities.
Former manager Roberto de Zerbi had similar concerns and left Greenwood out of Marseille’s starting XI against Reims and PSG last March. “I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is showing now is not enough,” the Italian said at the time.
“If he wants to achieve his ambition to become champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined.”
The former Brighton manager said afterwards: “Greenwood is a very good man and I love him as much as I love his father. He’s had a bit of a tough time recently because he’s had a daughter, but I don’t think he’s used to playing such an intense season and being a main player. I think he paid the price physically for that.”
“I mean, he didn’t push himself as much as I would expect from a player like him and he wasn’t 100 per cent as I would have liked in training.
“His fitness has declined a bit, but my project at Marseille is not only to qualify for the Champions League, but also to create what Luis Enrique created[at PSG]. He created a team with soul, a strong group of players.”
Greenwood has since established himself as a key figure in Ligue 1, scoring 25 goals in 37 games in all competitions for Marseille this season.
Several leading European teams are reportedly interested, including Barcelona, Napoli and Atletico Madrid.
United released the striker for £26.6m, securing a substantial sell clause in his contract.
