Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi insists former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has claimed that former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has what it takes to win the Ballon d’Or. The Man United academy graduate has been in fine form since he was forced to leave the Old Trafford club in August 2023. Greenwood has 35 goals and 10 assists in 56 appearances for the Ligue 1 club since the Red Devils sold him in a £27 million deal in July 2024. He spent 2023-24 on loan in La Liga with Getafe, notching ten goals and six assists in 36 appearances.

Greenwood ended his time at Man United with 35 goals and 12 assists in 129 games, but his form in recent months has left De Zerbi impressed, and the Marseille boss believes the Englishman is above everyone in Europe right now.

“I see him every day, his potential is enormous, I do not see any other players in Europe at the same level,” the Italian said in his press conference today.

“He has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or. It is up to him to decide whether he wants to do everything he can to fight for it or not.

“He has the qualities worthy of the Ballon d’Or. I want him to be more consistent. I know he needs to press with more intensity, he needs to manage the ball better when the team is in trouble, not lose the ball easily but keep it to allow the team to move up. Look at his second goal (against Union St.Gilloise on Tuesday) à la Drogba. I turn around and say to myself, Putain.”

Greenwood played his last game for Man United in January 2022 following charges of attempted rape and assault against him. While they were eventually dropped in February 2023, the Red Devils and the player agreed to part ways a few months later. He has since started fulfilling his huge potential elsewhere but would be wishing things had gone differently for him in England. Man United have struggled to get a quality number 9 in recent seasons and he could have been firing on all cylinders at his old club had he not put himself in a situation which left the Red Devils with no choice.