MASON GREENWOOD was prevented from answering questions about previous allegations at his official appearance in Marseille.
Manchester United confirmed his transfer departure with a brief 57-word statement on Thursday evening.
The 22-year-old arrived in France on Wednesday to sign a contract until 2029 in a deal that could be worth more than £30m – shortly before the Red Devils announced the arrival of Leny Yoro from Lille for £52m .
The England striker will cost Ligue 1 giants Marseille an initial £27m plus £3.2m in add-ons.
United also have a 50% sell-on clause included in the package.
Greenwood, who will wear Marseille’s number 10, joined United’s development academy in Halifax, West Yorkshire, aged six.
He progressed through the ranks and made his senior debut in 2019 before becoming a regular starter.
Greenwood was then suspended by the club in January 2022, before being charged nine months later with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behavior towards a woman.
He denied all allegations, with all criminal charges being dropped in February 2023.
Greenwood was loaned to Spanish club Getafe last season and shone in LaLiga, winning the Player of the Year award.
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And it was his performances there that made several clubs from across Europe seek his services.
It was Marseille who ultimately won their transfer pursuit for Greenwood after he was told he no longer had a future at Man Utd.
But at his introductory press conference with French media on Friday, the conversation awkwardly turned to his past.
RMC Sport to say that Greenwood did not answer any questions about his previous accusations, so a Marseille press officer intervened to interrupt another question, only for the journalist to repeat it.
The striker again refused to respond, but had already stated his reasons for not addressing the controversy surrounding his move.
He said: “I understand the questions, I don’t want to talk too much about it or get into debates and controversies.
“I already talked about it on Thursday with the fans and I talked about it last season.
“I want to move forward, I want to be part of Olympique de Marseille.
“My intention is to really focus on the football part. The team and players told me about the foundation, the associations and the hospital visits and, like the other players, I will participate in these initiatives.
“This season I will try to play well for Marseille, at the Velodrome in front of fantastic fans.
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“I’ve been waiting for this for some time and I can’t wait to play in front of this crowd. At the moment I’m focused on what I have to do with my club.”
Marseille moved quickly to seal the deal – despite it being against the wishes of many fans who started a campaign called #GreenwoodNotWelcome.
Marseille mayor Benoit Payan also openly opposed the measure and said he would lobby club president Pablo Longoria to cancel it.
But Longoria, who was present with Greenwood, said: “I understand that your arrival raises questions and concerns.
“I respect everyone’s opinion, but I don’t want to get into controversy. It is the past, a complex and ancient situation. Mason talked about it.
I understand the questions, I don’t want to talk too much about it or get into debates and controversies.
Mason Greenwood
“I spoke to all parties in the process, I have personal involvement in this process.
“The club has a very professional and meticulous approach. It’s time to talk about the future, we are talking about the future.
“He has all the values that we want to develop at the club, as do all his teammates who are here and those who will arrive.”
Meanwhile, Greenwood won’t have to wait long to return to England – and his hometown.
On August 3, Bradford-born Greenwood could see action for Marseille in a friendly with League Two side Bradford City’s Sunderland at Valley Parade.
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