Former United winger Memphis Depay is back in Manchester for the first time since he left United nearly two years ago. Depay and his Lyon teammates are set to tussle with Manchester City tonight in a UEFA Champions League group stage game.
Depay acknowledged that he was a flop during his time at Old Trafford, but he also failed to rule out a return to the Red Devils someday. He also said that Manchester is still red; so there you go, now City has their bulletin board material.
“It’s the first time I’ve come back to Manchester after I left. That feels special and I’m happy to come back here and play against Man City,” Depay said yesterday during a pre-UCL press conference.
“I have been improving a lot, not only on the pitch but off as a person. I’ve become more mature. You go through experiences in life on and off the pitch. When I came back today I felt like a different person. Everybody knows the story of me and Manchester United was not successful.”
“I’m just happy that I’m the player I am today. I can look back and say I didn’t want it to go like that — nobody did — but things happened. I became a much better player.
“I can feel it in games and everyone can see it. For sure, the city is still red and we will try to get a good result against the Blues.”
Memphis Depay only scored seven times in the 53 appearances that he made in a red shirt. He was a huge disappointment in Manchester, given how he came to the club as the leading scorer in the Dutch eredivisie the previous season.
The Dutchman was asked if he had spoken to his former manager, Louis van Gaal (the man who brought him to MUFC) since he left the club, and he responded that he had not. Depay also added that we’re going to have to wait until if/when he writes a book to learn more details about his departure from the club.
“No, never. I have seen Van Gaal at testimonial game of Dirk Kuyt and we didn’t really speak about it. Certain things that happened I don’t want to say now in public, I don’t feel like it matters any more because … maybe when I write a book some day I will speak about it but for the moment, no,” Memphis Depay added.
“There were some miscommunications and once again I cannot blame that or a particular thing the way things happened. That’s all I want to say.”
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