Former Marseille forward Christophe Dugarry says Mason Greenwood should be “burned at the stake” after a dismal performance in the 3-0 defeat at Nantes on Saturday.
Greenwood was recalled to the starting XI after being left on the bench for the game with Nice the week before but failed to take his chance as Marseille’s disappointing season hit a new low.
The defeat left OM in seventh place in the Ligue 1 table and struggling to qualify for European competition next season.
Dugarry was angered by Greenwood, in particular, describing the one-time England international as a “disgrace”.
Speaking on RMC Sport’s ‘Rothen s’enflamme’ podcast, he said: “It’s shameful what he did against Nantes. I saw him walking. There were times when I looked at him and the guy was just pretending. He does not give a damn.
“I don’t understand how anyone can defend him. He should be condemned, burned at the stake. At least pretend [to care]. He is throwing a ‘go to hell’ in everyone’s face. He is an absolute disgrace, pathetic.”
Greenwood given chance by Marseille
Greenwood was given the chance to resurrect his career in the south of France after his spell at Manchester United was abruptly ended when he was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after videos surfaced on social media.
The charges were later dropped after new material came to light.
Dugarry believes the 24-year-old, who has been linked with a move away from the Stade Velodrome at the end of the season, should be doing more to show his gratitude to Marseille for giving him an opportunity.
“I appeal to his pride,” he added. “This guy was struggling. He made a huge mistake before Marseille signed him. He could never have played football again. Everyone did everything to give this boy a chance. I feel ashamed for him.
“He is a leader of this team, everyone depends on him. When he’s not there, everyone cries for his absence. And what does he give back, after all the sacrifices?
“He will make the club some money but no-one will cry for him.”
La Provence also goes in hard on Greenwood
Local newspaper La Provence was also disgusted by Greenwood’s display against Nantes, although they were equally scathing of his team-mates, scoring them all zero out of 10 in their player ratings.
In their assessment of Greenwood, the paper said: “It’s easy to see why English football’s enfant terrible found himself on the bench last Sunday.
“Whilst people are quick to throw around the term ‘professional misconduct’ at the drop of a hat, Greenwood’s behaviour on Saturday was indeed a clear case of it.
“Scandalous from start to finish, he saw fit to stroll about after countless turnovers, whine when his team-mates didn’t pass to him, or act as if he were in a circus by attempting unnecessary tricks for his own amusement whilst the club’s financial future was at stake.
“In other circumstances, he would have deserved half a point for at least managing to tie his boots.”
Marseille boss Beye has no defence for appalling display
Clubs in Saudi Arabia have been linked with Greenwood, who despite his recent problems has scored 25 goals and added 10 assists in 48 games this season.
Marseille, now under Habib Beye after the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, take on Le Havre and Rennes in their final two Ligue 1 games and could have to win them both to play in Europe next season.
Beye was unimpressed by his team’s efforts at Nantes, saying: “For me, I can’t analyse it as there was no performance on our part. There is no explanation. No energy in what we produced, no quality.
“I don’t know [if the players gave up]. But we were empty. This is unacceptable and difficult to explain given the work we did during the week. I could have taken off 80% or 90% of the team at half-time.”
