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Medhi Benatia, sports director of Marseille Sporting, furiously denied the claims that two senior players refused to play with Mason Greenwood.
Despite being the club’s top scorer, the former Manchester United star has been the subject of several recent reports that have raised questions about his attitude.
The most recent alleys that the senior players in Marseille, the former Tottenham midfielder, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and the former star of the Germain Saint-Paris, Adrien Rabiot, refused to play alongside the attacker.
Benatia thoroughly refuted the affirmations and said sensitively that some within the club “try to sow discord”.
The sensational development comes after Greenwood received a 1/10 from the French release La Provence for its performance in the 3-0 defeat of Marseille by Monaco – their fifth of the last seven games.
“As gifted as possible – when he wants to be, and it is increasingly rare,” started the scathing evaluation of his display. “The former UTD player exasperates with his lack of seriousness.”
Benatia smoked rumors that Hojbjerg – during his first season with the club after leaving northern London – went to his office and put pressure for the withdrawal of Greenwood and Luis Henrique from the Marseille team.
“Can you imagine? Benatia said at the exit. “He didn’t come to see me. And what could be more, do you think I need a player to tell me that?
“Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is one of the most professional in the locker room, a guy who only wants to unite and transport everyone with him, like Rabiot.
“Today, Adri dies inside, he wants only one thing: to reach the Champions League. These two are really two examples, and at no time did they see me to reject Luis Henrique or Greenwood. People who say it doesn’t want the best for OM.
Greenwood was recently restored in the starting program after being abandoned by manager Roberto de Zerbi, with reports in France suggesting that the former boss of Brighton was not satisfied with his work rate.
The Italian approached the problem last month and said that the attacker was not used to the intense workload he had this season. Earlier this month, from Zerbi went further and said that Greenwood “had the qualities” to join the Pantheon of Marseille Greats.
“Greenwood is a natural talent,” he said. “All the credit goes to his mother and his father. And I’m here to help him become more complete. When he needs a hug, a word of support, I gladly give him. And when I need to push it to give more, I have to do that too because it’s my job.
“I would particularly like to help him remember, in this stadium and by these supporters, as one of the greatest players to have played here at the Vélodrome,” he added.
“There have been so many great players here, but I think Greenwood has the qualities to remember this way. And I try to help him progress.
However, it seems that the praise of the public has little speculation silent a fault in the locker room and the lamentable form of Marseille even saw the position of Zerbi at the club is threatened.
Greenwood left Manchester United under a cloud last summer after being arrested in January 2022 before being accused of attempted rape, aggression and control and coercive behavior.
The charges against Greenwood were abandoned by the Crown prosecution service following “withdrawal of key witnesses and new documents that have been revealed”. Greenwood has always denied allegations.
Greenwood rekindled his career on loan during the Spanish outfit Getafe last season, where he won 10 goals and six assists.
He has since officially applied his international allegiance to England, for whom he made an exit, at Jamaica de Steve McClaren.
