Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood bagged a superb 11-minute hat-trick for Olympique Marseille, as they beat Excelsior Maassluis 5-0.
Greenwood enjoying life at Marseille Greenwood permanently left United last summer to sign for Marseille in a transfer worth around £26.6m. He put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the French club.
United inserted a significant sell-on clause into the deal, which is thought to be between 40 to 50 per cent.
The Carrington academy graduate’s exit came after he was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. He denied the accusations but was taken into custody for a breach of his bail conditions.
In February 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges against Greenwood, citing the withdrawal of material witnesses.
United explored the possibility of reintegrating Greenwood into the team but after public uproar, it was mutually decided that it was best for all concerned parties that he continue his career elsewhere.
He had a loan stint in Spain with Getafe before then signing for Marseille last summer. Greenwood enjoyed a fantastic debut campaign with Marseille, scoring an impressive 22 goals and providing an additional five assists in 34 top-flight appearances.
As Marseille prepare for the upcoming 2025/26 term, it appears Greenwood has picked up where he left off.
Greenwood nets 11-minute hat-trick During the first half of a pre-season thrashing of third-tier Dutch outfit Excelsior Maassluis, Greenwood opened the scoring in the 28th minute and completed his hat-trick just 11 minutes later.
Greenwood’s first goal saw him expertly dance around a number of Excelsior Maassluis defenders before he tucked the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.
Just moments later, he got his second of the match, an easy tap-in with the goal at his mercy. He wrapped up his hat-trick with another goal that was as audacious as it was skillful, leaving the goalkeeper looking foolish after some excellent footwork and composure.
1️⃣-2️⃣-3️⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🤯
𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 voit triple lors de ce #EXCOM 💪#SublimeCôtedIvoire ✨ pic.twitter.com/MrLGWBktQJ
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) July 20, 2025
It was another reminder of his potency in front of goal, which teams are fully aware. There have been suggestions that Atletico Madrid want to sign Greenwood this summer. His hat-trick against Excelsior Maassluis would only likely have convinced Atletico that he is the right man for them.
Featured image Juan Manuel Serrano Arce via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
