De Zerbi calls Mason Greenwood "exceptional" after scoring brace in his Marseille debut

Mason Greenwood, a former Manchester United player, scored two goals on his Marseille debut, earning plaudits from Roberto De Zerbi. In the opening game of the Ligue 1 season, the former Manchester United attacker, who joined the French team amid controversy, showed off his indisputable brilliance by scoring twice in a convincing 5-1 victory over Brest. Greenwood announced his entrance in French football in a mere three minutes. After a turbulent time at Manchester United, the 22-year-old forward was keen to establish himself. He easily tucked a through pass past the Brest goalkeeper. After a reckless challenge from a Brest defender, Greenwood won a penalty, setting up his second goal 27 minutes later.

"Greenwood is the first player I called," De Zerbi revealed to L'Equipe. His father must have been my age when we spoke. "I told him, 'Marseille is Marseille,' and cautioned him about this club's demands. "He replied: 'I remember the historic Marseille which played in European Cup finals'." "I said that when a player becomes my player, I am the first to pin him to the wall when he makes a mistake," De Zerbi further stated. "But towards the outside, I will always defend him as I would defend my son."