“It will take time for Memphis to get used to the rhythm of the Premier League.”
Louis van Gaal’s words on the occasion of signing Memphis Depay from PSV seem remarkably prescient now. The Dutch winger has struggled in his first season at Manchester United, a slide in form and confidence that culminating with his being dropped from the FA Cup final squad.
“But I have no doubt that he has the potential to become a great footballer for this club and he is at the right club to continue the good work he has done so far.”
The man who said those words is now gone and whether or not his fellow Dutchman will survive under the reign of Jose Mourinho remains to be seen.
He may need to curtail some of his more extravagant behaviour if he is to win over Mourinho, who is reportedly not the most popular choice himself with the United players.
The Guardian have a very detailed analysis of where the Van Gaal tenure went wrong, including a rather wonderful tidbit about Depay, whose off-field confidence appears to have been affected not even slightly by his on-field travails.
“Memphis Depay has struggled, too, and his cocksure attitude hardly goes hand in hand with what the £25m signing has shown in his first season at the club.
“When Depay made a mistake that led to Chelsea’s goal in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in February he was ordered to play in the reserves the following day.
“Depay turned up to face Norwich City’s second string in a Rolls-Royce and did not seem to care when it was pointed out to him that it might reflect badly on him.”
Seriously, who turns up for a football match in a Rolls Royce?
@davidgold is this by any chance your rolls Royce if so I saw you 😊⚒⚒ pic.twitter.com/DKmojBhVPB
— Jzck Tznnznt (@TheExcelSniping) February 11, 2016
Never mind a reserve team match…
