Mason Greenwood facts for kids
Greenwood with Marseille in 2024
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mason Will John Greenwood | ||
| Date of birth | 1 October 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Bradford, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.81 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
|
Current team
|
Marseille | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2007–2018 | Manchester United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2024 | Manchester United | 83 | (22) |
| 2023–2024 | → Getafe (loan) | 33 | (8) |
| 2024– | Marseille | 34 | (21) |
| International career | |||
| 2015 | England U15 | 1 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | England U17 | 6 | (1) |
| 2018 | England U18 | 5 | (1) |
| 2019 | England U21 | 4 | (1) |
| 2020 | England | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:54, 17 May 2025 (UTC) | |||
Mason Will John Greenwood (born 1 October 2001) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Marseille.
Greenwood grew up in the Manchester United youth system. He became the club's youngest goalscorer in a European competition in September 2019. This happened when he scored in a UEFA Europa League match against Astana. He was 17 years, 353 days years old.
He made his first international appearance for England in September 2020. This was in a UEFA Nations League game against Iceland.
In August 2023, Greenwood joined Getafe on loan for the 2023–24 La Liga season. In July 2024, he left Manchester United permanently. He then joined French club Marseille. He was one of the top scorers in the 2024–25 Ligue 1 season, scoring 21 goals.
Contents
Club Career
Playing for Manchester United
Early Years and Academy Progress
Greenwood joined Manchester United when he was six years old. He played at the club's development school in Halifax. He moved up through the academy teams. For the 2017–18 season, he joined the Under-18 squad. He was still young enough for the Under-16s. He finished as the top scorer in the U18 Premier League North. He scored 17 goals in 21 games. In May 2018, he was named Player of the Tournament. This was at the ICGT Trophy, an international youth football event in the Netherlands.
First Team Debut in 2018–19
In July 2018, Greenwood joined the first team for their pre-season tour in the United States. He played his first non-competitive game on 20 July. He came on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Club América. On 2 October, he signed his first professional contract. In December, José Mourinho chose him to train with the first team. This was before a UEFA Champions League match against Valencia.
On 6 March 2019, under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Greenwood made his official debut. He came on as a substitute in a 3–1 win against Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League. He was 17 years and 156 days old. This made him the second-youngest player to play for the club in a European competition. He was the youngest ever in the Champions League era. Four days later, he played his first Premier League game. He came off the bench in a 2–0 loss to Arsenal.
Greenwood was named Premier League 2 Player of the Month for April 2019. At the end of the season, he won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award. This award goes to the best player in the club's youth teams. On 12 May, he started his first senior game for the club. This was in a 2–0 loss to Cardiff City.
Breakthrough Season in 2019–20
Greenwood scored his first goal for United in their Europa League opener. This was against Kazakh team Astana on 19 September. He scored the only goal of the game. This made him the club's youngest ever goalscorer in European competition. He was 17 years, 353 days years old. On 7 November, he scored in United's 3–0 win over Partizan Belgrade. This helped them reach the knockout stages. On 24 November, Greenwood scored his first league goal. This was in a 3–3 draw with Sheffield United. On 12 December, he scored twice and won a penalty. This was in the final Europa League group stage game against AZ Alkmaar. Manchester United won 4–0 and finished first in their group.
On 11 January 2020, Greenwood scored in a 4–0 win over Norwich City. Fifteen days later, he scored his first FA Cup goal. United beat Tranmere Rovers 6–0. Greenwood scored again four weeks later. This was in a 3–0 league win against Watford. On 12 March, he scored his fifth European goal. This was during a 5–0 win over LASK of Austria. He became the first teenager to score at least five goals in a single European season for United.
After football was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Greenwood played in all six of United's matches by 9 July 2020. He scored four goals in three games, including two goals in a 5–2 win against Bournemouth on 4 July. He then scored against Aston Villa. This made him only the fourth player under 19 to score in three Premier League games in a row.
Wearing Number 11 in 2020–21
Greenwood was given the number 11 shirt by Manchester United on 4 September 2020. He joined famous players like Ryan Giggs who also wore this number. On 22 September, Greenwood scored his first goal of the season. This was in a 3–1 win over Luton Town in the EFL Cup. On 28 October, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal. This was in a 5–0 win over RB Leipzig. He scored his first league goal of the season on 5 December. This was in a 3–1 win against West Ham United.
On 24 January 2021, Greenwood scored his first FA Cup goal of the season. This was in a 3–2 win against Liverpool. He played the full game in the 9–0 home win against Southampton on 2 February. Two weeks later, he extended his contract until June 2025. He ended a four-month goal drought in the league on 4 April. He scored the winning goal against Brighton & Hove Albion. Greenwood played very well in April. He scored four league goals in four matches, including two against Burnley. This earned him a nomination for Premier League Player of the Month. On 29 April, Greenwood scored his first UEFA Europa League goal of the season. This was against Roma in the semi-finals.
On 9 May, Greenwood scored another goal against Aston Villa in a 3–1 win. Two days later, he scored against Leicester City. On 26 May, Greenwood played in his first cup final. This was the 2021 Europa League final against Villarreal. The match ended 1–1, and Villarreal won on penalties.
2021–22 Season and Suspension
On 14 August 2021, Greenwood scored his first goal of the season. This was in a 5–1 win over Leeds. Fifteen days later, he scored the goal that secured a 1–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. He became the second teenager in Premier League history to score in his team's first three games of a season. This also helped United break the record for most consecutive away matches undefeated in English football history.
Greenwood had scored 32 career goals for United by the time he turned 20 in October. Only Norman Whiteside (39) and George Best (37) scored more for the club as a teenager. He was nominated for the Kopa Trophy in 2021. In November, he finished fifth. On 8 December, Greenwood scored his first goal in the 2021–22 Champions League. This was against Young Boys in a 1–1 draw.
On 30 January 2022, Greenwood was suspended by United due to serious off-field issues.
Leaving Manchester United in 2023
After a club investigation, Manchester United announced on 21 August 2023 that Greenwood would be leaving the club. The club stated that while their investigation found that some online material did not show the full picture, Greenwood "made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for." They also noted "difficulties with him recommencing his career" with United. Greenwood also made a statement, accepting that he would leave United and acknowledging mistakes in his relationship.
Loan to Getafe in 2023–24
On 1 September 2023, Greenwood joined La Liga club Getafe on loan for the 2023–24 season. He made his debut on 17 September in a 3–2 win over Osasuna.
On 8 October 2023, Greenwood scored his first Getafe goal. This was in a 2–2 draw at Celta Vigo. It was his first goal since January 2022. On 1 November, he scored twice in a 12–0 win against Tardienta in the Copa del Rey. Greenwood was sent off on 2 January 2024 in a 2–0 loss to Rayo Vallecano. He finished his season with 33 league games, scoring 8 goals and assisting 6.
Playing for Marseille
On 18 July 2024, Greenwood joined Ligue 1 club Marseille. He signed a five-year contract. The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, commented on the move.
On his debut on 17 August, Greenwood scored two goals and assisted two others. He also won a penalty in a 5–1 win at Brest. Two weeks later, he scored twice in a minute. This was in a 3–1 win away to Toulouse. He reached five goals in his first three games.
Greenwood helped Marseille finish second in Ligue 1. This meant they qualified for the Champions League. He scored 21 league goals and made 6 assists in his first season. He finished as a joint top scorer in the league with Ousmane Dembélé.
International Career
Greenwood can play for England or Jamaica internationally.
Youth Teams
Greenwood played for England's youth teams. These included the under-15, under-17, under-18, and under-21 teams. He played six games for the England under-17 team between 2017 and 2018. He was part of the under-17 squad at the Algarve Tournament in Portugal. He scored one goal in five games for the England under-18 team in 2018.
On 30 August 2019, Greenwood was called up to the England under-21 squad. He made his debut on 6 September. This was in a 3–2 win against Turkey. He scored his first goal for the team on 19 November. This was against the Netherlands. Greenwood played four games for the under-21 team, scoring once.
Senior Team
Greenwood was named in the England senior squad for the first time on 25 August 2020. He made his debut on 5 September. This was in a 1–0 win over Iceland. He came on as a substitute. On 7 September, he and Phil Foden were removed from the England squad. This was after they broke COVID-19 rules in Iceland.
Greenwood was not chosen for the September 2021 World Cup qualifiers. England manager Gareth Southgate said he was still in their plans.
In August 2024, it was announced that Greenwood had asked to switch his international eligibility to Jamaica. The FA confirmed in March 2025 that he had made the switch.
Style of Play
Greenwood started his career as a midfielder. He then became a centre forward. He often played on the right side for Manchester United. He also moved more centrally as a second striker. Early in his career, he often used his left foot to score. He also aimed low for the near post from the right side of the box.
In May 2018, former Manchester United player Clayton Blackmore said: "He's great on the ball and very good with both feet. He's the first person I've seen that takes penalties and free-kicks with his wrong foot. I've never come across anyone like that!" In March 2019, former academy coach Mark Senior said: "People says he's like the new Robin van Persie but I don't know. I think he's his own man. I've not seen another player like him. His style means his pace is deceptive because he is absolutely rapid."
In July 2019, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær praised Greenwood. He said: "He can play all of the front-three positions, or across the front four. He can play number 10, number seven, number 11 and number nine. He's a natural footballer with his left foot, coming in, but he's got two feet and can play anywhere along the front. He's just a natural. When he takes a penalty with his right, then takes a penalty with his left, free-kicks with his left, free-kicks with his right. He is almost what you'd call 50:50, maybe 51:49 left-footed."
Personal Life
Greenwood was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He grew up in the Wibsey area. He has Jamaican family roots. His sister, Ashton, is a track athlete. In July 2023, Greenwood became a father.
Career Statistics
Club Appearances
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United | 2018–19 | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | |
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 31 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 5 | — | 49 | 17 | ||
| 2020–21 | Premier League | 31 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 2 | — | 52 | 12 | ||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 18 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 24 | 6 | ||
| 2022–23 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 83 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 28 | 8 | — | 129 | 35 | |||
| Manchester United U21 | 2019–20 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Getafe (loan) | 2023–24 | La Liga | 33 | 8 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | 36 | 10 | |||
| Marseille | 2024–25 | Ligue 1 | 34 | 21 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 36 | 22 | |||
| Career total | 150 | 51 | 15 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 28 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 202 | 68 | ||
International Appearances
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
Honours and Awards
Manchester United
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2020–21
Individual Awards
- Premier League 2 Player of the Month: April 2019
- Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year: 2018–19
- IFFHS Men's Youth (U20) World Team: 2021
- Getafe Player of the Season: 2023–24
- UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: December 2024, April 2025
- Ligue 1 top goalscorer: 2024–25 (joint)
See also
In Spanish: Mason Greenwood para niños
