With 9 points from their first 3 games, Manchester United are off to a flying start under their new manager Jose Mourinho, who managed to get his hands on some of the best talents in world football at the moment. The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba have improved the quality of the squad by leaps and bounds and have made Manchester United one of the strongest teams in Europe. However, the new summer additions to an already strong squad has seen a number of players fall out of favor at the club in spite of their stature and one such player who is now hardly featuring under the new manager at Old Trafford is Dutch international Memphis Depay.
The 22-year old winger moved to Manchester United under Louis van Gaal, the former manager at Old Trafford just last season in one of the most exciting deals in the transfer window. However, he was not able to adjust to the style of play in England and also picked up a few injuries ultimately losing his place in the squad even when fit. He was still used only sparingly by Louis van Gaal but under the new manager at the club, he has not even been given a chance to prove himself.
However, Manchester United need all the depth in the squad this season because of their European commitments. They are alive in all 4 competitions in the English league and will be fighting for glory in all of them. Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, who has won the Premier League just a couple of seasons ago, will know that he cannot use the same set of players for every game and will have Depay in his game plans as we go deeper into the season.
The 22-year old is still one of the most exciting players in Europe at the moment. He has dazzling skills with the ball at his feet and is matured way beyond his age. Though he was not electric, he was effective in his own way and only lacked a bit of consistency that is understandable in his debut season.
There is an impending rush in the fans of the Premier League in judging new players by their performances in just the one season. Angel di Maria was a prime example of the lack of patience as the Argentine thrived in his second season away from Spain after his move to Manchester United. Depay was decent even in the previous season but his place is now stolen by Anthony Martial, who is only getting better by the day. Martial is a top class player who will make the first team for most games in the Premier League and the Europa League this season while Depay will be given the responsibility to lead the side in the attack against the smaller teams in the domestic cup competitions.
He is also the only cover for Marital on the wing and will have to be at his best every week as he will deputize for the Frenchman during contingencies. After just a year in the country, Depay is far from a flop and with a completely new manager at the helm, he may even be able to find his lost form this season. Mourinho must trust him enough to keep him at the club this summer and if Depay can make the most of the chances he gets this season, he can easily fight his way back into the first team. He is at least capable of doing so. Do you think Memphis Depay will have a huge role in Manchester United’s 2016-17 season?
