1. Early Life and Background
Mason Will John Greenwood was born on 1 October 2001 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, and was raised in the city's Wibsey area. His family has a background in sports, with his sister, Ashton, being a track athlete. Greenwood is of Jamaican descent, making him eligible to represent either England or Jamaica at the international level.
Greenwood began his football journey at the age of six, playing for a local club called Idle Juniors in Bradford. During one match, which Manchester United scouts attended, he remarkably scored 16 goals in a 16-1 victory, leading to his recruitment into the Manchester United academy. A youth coach at the time, Mark Senior, recounted Greenwood's post-match comment: "If I hadn't been there today, the team would have lost 0-1."
2. Club Career
Greenwood's professional football journey began with his progression through the youth ranks at Manchester United, leading to his senior debut and subsequent loan and permanent transfers to other European clubs.
2.1. Manchester United
Greenwood spent his formative years and early professional career at Manchester United, from his initial recruitment into the academy to his eventual departure following legal proceedings.
2.1.1. Youth Career and Early Development
Greenwood joined the Manchester United academy at the age of six, playing at the club's development school in Halifax. He quickly progressed through the youth ranks, joining the Under-18 squad for the 2017-18 season despite being eligible for the Under-16s. In this season, he finished as the top scorer of the U18 Premier League North with 17 goals in 21 games. In May 2018, Greenwood was named Player of the Tournament as the youth side won the ICGT Trophy, an international youth football tournament held in the Netherlands. At the end of the 2018-19 season, he received the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award, an accolade given annually to the best player in the club's youth teams.
2.1.2. Professional Debut and Breakthrough
In July 2018, Greenwood traveled with the first team on their pre-season tour of the United States. He made his non-competitive debut on 20 July as a 76th-minute substitute in a 1-1 draw against Club América. Three days later, he also featured in a 0-0 draw against San Jose Earthquakes. On 2 October 2018, Greenwood signed his first professional contract with Manchester United. In December, he was selected by then-manager José Mourinho to train with the first team ahead of their UEFA Champions League match against Valencia.
Under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Greenwood made his competitive debut on 6 March 2019, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute in a 3-1 away win against Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League. At the age of 17 years and 156 days, he became the second-youngest player to represent the club in a European competition (behind only Norman Whiteside) and the youngest ever in the Champions League era. Four days later, he made his Premier League debut from the bench in a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, becoming one of the club's youngest league debutants. On 12 May, the final day of the season, Greenwood made his first senior start for the club in a 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City.
Greenwood's first senior goal for Manchester United came on 19 September 2019, in their Europa League opener against Kazakh side Astana. He scored the only goal of the game, making him the club's youngest ever goalscorer in European competition at the age of 17 years and 353 days. On 7 November, he scored in United's 3-0 win over Partizan Belgrade, which secured their qualification for the knockout stages. His first Premier League goal was scored on 24 November in a 3-3 draw with Sheffield United. On 12 December, he scored twice and won a penalty in the final Europa League group stage game against AZ Alkmaar, a match Manchester United won 4-0, finishing top of 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 as United defeated Tranmere Rovers 6-0. He scored again four weeks later in a 3-0 league win against Watford. On 12 March, he scored his fifth European goal during a 5-0 win over LASK of Austria, becoming the first teenager to score at least five goals in a single European season for United. After a three-month suspension of football due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Greenwood scored four goals in three consecutive matches, including a brace in a 5-2 win against Bournemouth on 4 July. He then scored against Aston Villa, making him only the fourth player aged below 19 to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances and the first since Francis Jeffers in 1999. On 22 July, he scored against West Ham United, reaching double figures in the Premier League, becoming only the third 18-year-old to achieve this feat in the league's history. He was voted United's Player of the Month for July 2020, becoming the youngest player in the club's history to win the award, surpassing Marcus Rashford's record from February 2016. He concluded the 2019-20 season with 17 goals in 49 appearances.
2.1.3. Performance and Key Seasons (2020-2022)
For the 2020-21 season, Greenwood was given the number 11 shirt by Manchester United on 4 September 2020, following in the footsteps of famous players like Ryan Giggs. On 22 September, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3-1 away victory over Luton Town in the third round of the EFL Cup. On 28 October, he scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League in a 5-0 win over RB Leipzig, with the goal coming from his first ever shot in the competition. He scored his first league goal of the season in a 3-1 away win against West Ham United on 5 December.
On 24 January 2021, Greenwood scored his first FA Cup goal of the season in a 3-2 home win against arch-rivals Liverpool in the fourth round. He played the full 90 minutes in the Premier League record-equalling 9-0 home win against Southampton on 2 February. Two weeks later, he extended his contract to June 2025 with the option of a further year. He broke a four-month goal drought in the league on 4 April, scoring the winner against Brighton & Hove Albion in a 2-1 home victory. Greenwood excelled in April with four league goals in four matches, including a brace against Burnley, earning him his first nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month. On 29 April, Greenwood scored his first goal in the UEFA Europa League for the season against Roma during the first leg of the semi-finals in a 6-2 home victory.
On 9 May 2021, Greenwood scored another goal against Aston Villa in a 3-1 away win, setting a new club record for the most Premier League goals scored by a teenager (16 goals), surpassing Wayne Rooney's previous record. Two days later, he scored against Leicester City, assisted by Amad Diallo; this goal was the first time in 15 years that a teenager assisted another for a Premier League goal. On 26 May, Greenwood played in his first cup final, the 2021 Europa League Final against Villarreal at the Stadion Gdańsk. He played 100 minutes before being substituted; the match ended 1-1 and Villarreal won 12-11 on penalties.
For the 2021-22 season, Greenwood began as a regular starter in the central forward position. On 14 August 2021, he scored his first goal of the season in a 5-1 win over Leeds in Manchester United's opening match of the 2021-22 Premier League season. Fifteen days later, he scored the goal that secured a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, becoming the second teenager in Premier League history after Robbie Fowler to score in each of his team's first three games of a season. This victory also helped United set a new record for the most consecutive away matches undefeated in English football history with 28. By the time he turned 20 in October, Greenwood had scored 32 career goals for United, with only Norman Whiteside (39) and George Best (37) scoring more goals for the club as a teenager. He was one of 10 players nominated for the Kopa Trophy in 2021, ultimately finishing fifth behind Pedri, Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala, and Nuno Mendes. On 8 December, Greenwood scored his first goal in the 2021-22 Champions League against Young Boys in a 1-1 draw, in interim manager Ralf Rangnick's first Champions League game with the club. Towards the end of November 2021, Greenwood tested positive for COVID-19 and was sidelined for a period. He returned to play in Ralf Rangnick's debut match against Crystal Palace on 5 December 2021, coming on as a substitute and assisting Fred for the sole goal of the match.
2.1.4. Suspension, Investigation, and Departure
On 30 January 2022, Greenwood was suspended by Manchester United following his arrest on suspicion of rape. The criminal charges against him were dropped in February 2023 due to "the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light." Following this, Manchester United initiated its own internal investigation into the events that led to his initial arrest. According to reports, United did not have access to all the evidence gathered by prosecutors and relied on the cooperation of the involved parties. While the alleged victim did not engage directly with United's investigation, her mother did. Greenwood provided explanations to the club regarding the publicly released audio and images, which the alleged victim's family did not contest. Ultimately, the club's investigation concluded that Greenwood had not committed the initial offenses and that there were no grounds to terminate his contract.
However, initial reports in early August 2023, by journalist Adam Crafton of The Athletic and The Daily Telegraph, indicated that Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold intended to reintegrate Greenwood into the team. On 16 August 2023, Manchester United publicly announced that the club was in the "final stages" of considering Greenwood's future, having completed their investigation. The club stated that their inquiry "has drawn on extensive evidence and context not in the public domain" and emphasized their "responsibilities to Mason as an employee, as a young person who has been with the club since the age of seven, and as a new father with a partner."
This statement generated significant objections to Greenwood's potential return from both United's staff and the public. Domestic violence charity Women's Aid and Stretford and Urmston MP Andrew Western were among those who publicly criticized the club's handling of the case. In response to the backlash, the club's top executives changed their minds by 18 August, deciding that Greenwood should not return.
On 21 August 2023, United officially announced that Greenwood would be leaving the club, stating, "we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome." The club's statement indicated that their investigation found "the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged," but acknowledged that Greenwood "made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for" and that there were "difficulties with him recommencing his career" with United. On the same day, Greenwood released a statement acknowledging his departure from United, asserting: "I was brought up to know that violence or abuse in any relationship is wrong, I did not do the things I was accused of [...] I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship, and I take my share of responsibility for the situations which led to the social media post." His contract with United was set to expire in 2025, and options for his future included a sale or a loan to another club.
2.2. Loan to Getafe CF
On 1 September 2023, Greenwood joined La Liga club Getafe on loan for the 2023-24 La Liga season. He made his debut on 17 September in a 3-2 league win over Osasuna, coming on as a substitute for the final 15 minutes, marking his return to official competition after approximately 20 months.
On 8 October 2023, in his fifth game, Greenwood scored his first Getafe goal in a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo, marking his first goal since January 2022. On 1 November, in the first round of the Copa del Rey, he scored twice in a dominant 12-0 victory at sixth-tier Tardienta. On 2 January 2024, he was sent off in a 2-0 home loss to fellow Community of Madrid side Rayo Vallecano for swearing at the referee in English. He finished his loan season with 33 league appearances, scoring 8 goals and assisting 6. His performances earned him the Getafe Player of the Season award for the 2023-24 season.
2.3. Transfer to Olympique de Marseille
On 18 July 2024, Greenwood joined Ligue 1 club Marseille on a five-year contract in a deal reportedly worth up to 31.60 M EUR. The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, publicly criticized the move, citing the dropped domestic violence charges.
On his debut for Marseille on 17 August, Greenwood delivered an exceptional performance, scoring two goals, assisting two others, and winning a penalty in a 5-1 away win at Brest. Two weeks later, he scored twice within the space of a minute in a 3-1 victory away to Toulouse, reaching five goals in his first three games and matching Mario Balotelli's 2016 record for Nice. In January 2025, Greenwood was named the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month for December 2024.
3. International Career
Greenwood has represented England at various youth levels and made one senior appearance before his international career was impacted by off-field incidents. He is eligible to represent England or Jamaica at international level.
3.1. Youth International Career
Greenwood played youth international football for England's under-15, under-17, under-18, and under-21 teams. He made six appearances for the England under-17 team between 2017 and 2018 and was part of the under-17 squad at the Algarve Tournament in Portugal. He scored one goal in five appearances for the England under-18 team, all in 2018.
On 30 August 2019, Greenwood was included in the England under-21 squad for the first time and made his debut as a 59th-minute substitute during the 3-2 win against Turkey on 6 September in qualifying for the 2021 European Under-21 Championship. He scored his first goal for the team on 19 November, equalizing against the Netherlands in a match which England ultimately lost 2-1. Greenwood played four games in total at under-21 level, scoring once. In March 2021, he was called up for the U21 European Championship finals but later withdrew due to injury.
3.2. Senior International Career
Greenwood was named in the England senior squad for the first time on 25 August 2020. He made his debut on 5 September in a 1-0 away win over Iceland in a 2020-21 UEFA Nations League A match, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute. However, on 7 September, he and Phil Foden were withdrawn from the England squad after breaking COVID-19 quarantine guidelines in Iceland by leaving the part of the hotel that the squad was occupying. Media reports alleged that the players had met two women in another part of the hotel.
Greenwood was not selected for the September 2021 World Cup qualifiers by England manager Gareth Southgate, who stated, "He is in our thoughts, I've spoken with him and his club, he is a player we really like. We are all very conscious that he makes the progression at the right time."
In August 2024, it was announced that Greenwood had filed papers to request to be able to switch his international eligibility to Jamaica. The necessary paperwork for this change was completed in January 2025.
4. Style of Play
Greenwood began his career as a midfielder but gradually evolved into a centre forward. He often played on the right flank for Manchester United, as well as moving more centrally to occupy as a second striker when the ball was fed into the penalty area. During his early career, several of his goals showcased his ability to drop a shoulder or chop the ball to get it onto his left foot before scoring. He also frequently reversed his shot by aiming low for the near post from the right side of the box.
In May 2018, former Manchester United player Clayton Blackmore praised Greenwood's versatility, stating: "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 remarked on his unique style, saying: "People say 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 further highlighted Greenwood's adaptability during a pre-season tour: "He can play all of the front-three positions, or across the front four, as 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." Despite often being deployed on the right wing in the 2020-21 season, Greenwood has expressed that his preferred position is centre forward, though he remains willing to play on either flank. Notably, after missing a penalty with his left foot during his U-13 days against Manchester City, he began taking penalties with his right foot.
5. Personal Life
Mason Greenwood was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and grew up in the Wibsey area. He comes from a family with a background in sports; his sister, Ashton, is a track athlete. Greenwood is of Jamaican descent. In July 2023, it was reported that Greenwood had become a father with his girlfriend.
6. Legal Issues and Controversies
Greenwood's career has been significantly marked by serious legal allegations and the resulting controversies.
On 30 January 2022, Greenwood was accused of assault by his girlfriend, who posted a series of images and videos on her social media showing apparent injuries. These posts also included an audio recording where a woman tells a man, whom she calls Mason: "I don't want to have sex," to which the man replies: "I don't give a fuck what you want ... I'm going to fuck you, you twat ... I don't care if you want to have sex with me ... I asked you politely, and you wouldn't do it, so what else do you want me to do?" The man later adds: "Push me again one more time and watch what happens to you."
Following these accusations, Manchester United immediately suspended Greenwood on 30 January 2022. The same day, he was arrested by Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of rape and assault of a woman. On 1 February, Greenwood was further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill. In response to the allegations, sports apparel company Nike announced it had suspended its relationship with Greenwood, and video game company EA Sports confirmed it had removed Greenwood from its FIFA games. On 2 February, Greenwood was released on bail pending further investigation. Within a week, Nike officially ended its sponsorship with Greenwood. In April 2022, his bail was extended to mid-June. Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold later stated in August 2023 that the "alleged victim requested the police to drop their investigation in April 2022."
On 15 October 2022, Greenwood was arrested again for allegedly breaching his bail conditions by attempting to contact his accuser. On the same day, he was formally charged with three offenses: attempted rape for an alleged incident on 22 October 2021, assault occasioning actual bodily harm for an alleged incident in December 2021, and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour from November 2018. On 17 October 2022, he was initially remanded into custody until 21 November. However, after a private hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court on 19 October, he was granted bail with conditions not to contact witnesses, including the complainant, and to reside at an address in Bowdon.
On 2 February 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that all charges against Greenwood had been dropped. The CPS cited "the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light" as reasons for discontinuing the prosecution, stating that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
Following the dismissal of criminal charges, Manchester United launched its own internal investigation into the matter. According to reports, United's investigation did not have access to all the evidence gathered by prosecutors and instead required the cooperation of the involved parties to provide information. The alleged victim did not engage directly with United for the investigation, but her mother did. Greenwood provided explanations to the club regarding the publicly released audio and images, which the alleged victim's family did not contest. The club's investigation reportedly concluded that Greenwood had not committed the initial offenses and that there were no grounds to terminate his contract.
However, the prospect of Greenwood's return to Manchester United was met with significant public and internal criticism. Domestic violence charities and members of parliament voiced strong objections. In response to this backlash, Manchester United's top executives decided against his reintegration. On 21 August 2023, United officially announced that Greenwood would be leaving the club. The club's statement indicated that while the material posted online "did not provide a full picture" and that Greenwood "did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged," he "made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for" and that there were "difficulties with him recommencing his career" with United. Greenwood also issued a statement acknowledging his departure, stating that he "did not do the things I was accused of" but accepted he "made mistakes" in his relationship.
7. Statistics
7.1. Club
| 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 | 23 | 14 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - | 25 | 15 | |||
| Career total | 139 | 44 | 15 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 28 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 191 | 61 | ||
7.2. International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
8. Honours
Mason Greenwood has received the following individual awards and team honors:
Manchester United
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2020-21
Individual
- 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
9. Impact and Evaluation
Mason Greenwood's career trajectory has been marked by both exceptional talent and profound controversy. His early years at Manchester United showcased a prodigious talent, with his two-footed ability, deceptive pace, and prolific goal-scoring at a young age drawing comparisons to elite forwards like Robin van Persie. He consistently broke club records for youth goal-scoring and quickly established himself as a key player for Manchester United, earning individual accolades and a senior England cap. Football analysts and coaches lauded his versatility, noting his capability to play across all attacking positions.
However, the serious allegations and subsequent legal proceedings in 2022 brought his career to an abrupt halt and cast a long shadow over his potential. Despite the dismissal of all charges in February 2023, the public outcry and internal club investigations led to his departure from Manchester United, highlighting the significant societal implications of such accusations, regardless of legal outcomes. This period underscored the intense scrutiny and moral responsibilities placed on high-profile athletes.
His loan spell at Getafe CF in the 2023-24 season marked a significant step in his return to professional football. He adapted to Spanish football, becoming a vital player for Getafe and earning their Player of the Season award, demonstrating his resilience and continued footballing ability. His subsequent permanent transfer to Olympique de Marseille and immediate impact with multiple goals and assists in his debut games further indicate his enduring talent on the field.
Greenwood's journey serves as a complex case study in modern football, balancing immense athletic promise with severe personal and legal challenges. His career continues to be evaluated not only by his on-field performance but also by the broader implications of his past controversies and his efforts to rebuild his public and professional image.