Mason Greenwood was benched for Marseille's Ligue 1 clash with Nice due to injury and entered as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 draw, with coach Habib Beye citing the need to protect the forward. Beye revealed that Greenwood sustained an injury in the previous match at Lille and had been managing the problem all week. "We've been looking at Mason since the beginning of the week; he's very limited by the injury he sustained in Lille," Beye said. The coach added that Greenwood played two matches with significant pain, and the club could not risk him. "He's played two matches with significant pain, we can't risk him," Beye stated. The former Manchester United forward was introduced in the 63rd minute, but Marseille could not find a winner.
The 1-1 draw left Marseille sixth in Ligue 1, four points behind third-placed Lyon, according to a report.
We've been looking at Mason since the beginning of the week; he's very limited by the injury he sustained in Lille. He's played two matches with significant pain, we can't risk him.
According to a report, Greenwood has scored 25 goals in 42 appearances this season. His overall tally for the club stands at 47 goals in 78 matches, the report added.
However, his time at the club has not been without friction. RMC Sport reported that Greenwood has faced criticism from teammates. RMC Sport did not detail the nature of the criticism in its report.
He's a quality player, but he has to give us way more in his day-to-day commitment. Other players gave way more.
Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri was an unused substitute for Marseille against Nice. Beye spoke about the player, saying, "He's a quality player, but he has to give us way more in his day-to-day commitment." The coach added that other players have shown more dedication. "Other players gave way more," Beye was quoted as saying by a report. Beye's remarks signal that Nwaneri must raise his training standards to see more game time. The pointed comments highlight the demanding standards at the club and the need for the 18-year-old, who has found playing time limited since his loan from Arsenal, to improve.