Manchester United reportedly inserted a sell-on clause into their transfer deal when they agreed to sell Mason Greenwood to Marseille earlier this summer.
And that business appears to be a genius move from United’s decision-makers INEOS as the 22-year-old bagged his fourth and fifth goals of the season on Saturday night and could already find himself being eyed up by Europe’s biggest clubs.
Greenwood has made a sensational start to life in France and grabbed a brace on his Ligue 1 debut against Brest in mid-August as his side won the clash 5-1.
He backed that up with another goal in Marseille’s 2-2 draw with Reims last weekend and scored twice in the space of two minutes on Saturday as his team overcame Toulouse 3-1 away from home.
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United sold Greenwood after deciding he would be better off rebuilding his career away from Old Trafford. The one-cap England international was arrested in January 2022 and was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault later that year.
He denied any wrongdoing and saw the charges dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew their involvement.
But the player never featured for United again after the arrest, with the club shipping him off on loan to Getafe in La Liga last season ahead of his permanent transfer away.
Marseille paid United around £26.5million to secure Greenwood’s services in July. And, according to Sky Sports, Red Devils chiefs inserted a significant sell-on clause into the deal which is thought to be worth between 40 and 50 per cent.
Greenwood is clearly a very talented player and appeared to have the world at his feet after breaking into the first-team at Old Trafford. And if he can continue his fine start to life in France, where he plays under former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, the likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid could even pursue his signature in the future.
Marseille may be able to command a much higher transfer fee than they paid United if Greenwood does prove to be hot property. And the Red Devils would see a huge financial benefit due to the clever clause INEOS inserted.
After Greenwood left Old Trafford, United released a brief statement that read: “We wish Mason all the best in his future career.”
And discussing his career in an interview with La Provence, the forward explained: “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.”
