Memphis Depay has had a frustrating campaign with Manchester United, but with Louis van Gaal gone and Jose Mourinho coming in, can the winger turn around his Old Trafford career?

  • By Nicholas Koopman
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memphis man utd errWhen Memphis Depay moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2015, for a reported £26.7 million (€34 million), much was expected of the 22-year-old forward. Memphis had come to the premier league having helped PSV to their 22nd league title and finished top goal scorer in the Eredivise. However, Memphis has only shown glimpses of his true ability in an otherwise underwhelming first season. A season which saw United exit the Champions League early and finish outside the top four, and ultimately cost Louis Van Gaal his job despite an FA Cup win.

Reports are circulating, in the British press, that Depay’s future is in doubt at Old Trafford after he was axed from the F.A. Cup final squad, with a cut-price sale on the cards. However, Memphis has recently said he wants to stay at the club and with the possible arrival of Jose Mourinho he’d be wise to stay put. Despite his struggles in his first season, Depay could enjoy a breakout second season working under Mourinho. The Portuguese manager has previous experience working with young Dutch talent in the form of Arjen Robben. Mourinho took a young, inexperienced Robben and honed his talent into an explosive attacking force, who has enjoyed a glittering career at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, with many medals along the way.

Under Mourinho, who tends to use the 4-2-3-1 formation, Depay can hit the ground running becoming a central figure in the Manchester United squad using his pace, dribbling skills and finishing to devastating effect. He should, if given the time and confidence, be able to recapture the form that saw him score 26 times in the 2014-15 season. The link up play with striker Anthony Martial up front could see the duo create a lethal partnership similar to Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski at Bayern Munich.

Now that Memphis has a year of experience in the Premier League, a new manager and competition for a starting place we should see the “real” Depay next season.

We wait to see if Mourinho can work his magic and give Memphis the confidence to shine just like Robben … If he can, he could have a secret weapon.




Nicholas Koopman (93 Posts)