‘Depay may have to leave Manchester United’

Memphis Depay may have to leave Manchester United in order to fulfil his potential, that is according to his former manager, Dick Advocaat (via The Guardian).

The Premier League club, who currently sit eighth in the English top-flight standings following last Saturday’s goalless encounter against newly promoted Burnley at Old Trafford, have omitted the Netherlands international from tonight’s 21-man Europa League squad to face Advocaat’s Fenerbahce in Turkey.

The 22-year-old, who has 25 caps for his country, has failed to find the back of the net or provide an assist in seven appearances in all competitions so far this season for the Red Devils.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Depay, who arrived at Old Trafford back in June 2015 following his £25m switch from PSV Eindhoven, is fighting for his United career having fallen out of favour under boss Jose Mourinho this term.

So much so; Fenerbahce manager Advocaat, who gave the winger his senior debut for PSV back in December 2012, said, “The potential is there for him to be a good player.

“You cannot lose that, he has the quality to be a top player, but the problem for him is that there are so many quality players in that squad.

“So for himself it is important to start playing regularly at the age that he is at – otherwise the way, I think, is that maybe he has to find another solution [club] because he is too good to sit on the bench.

“I still believe in him, he has the right mentality, the right character to play for United, but there are so many options there.

“Regular playing time will help his progression.”