Memphis Depay struck twice for Netherlands in their 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in Euro 2020 qualifying last night, his goals in the 80th minute and stoppage time helping the Oranje to come from behind for victory. [via Sky Sports]
It was a memorable 50th cap for the 25-year-old Lyon winger, who came to Manchester United in a £25m deal in June 2015, as reported by ESPN.
However, his time at Old Trafford was underwhelming, with just seven goals in 53 appearances for the Red Devils in a 19-month spell at the club before being sold to Lyon in 2017.
Depay endured some difficult moments during his time at United, with the club’s then-assistant manager Ryan Giggs admonishing him for his extravagant lifestyle, as per The Mirror.
He also incurred the wrath of former boss Louis van Gaal in February 2016 after giving away the ball in the lead-up to a stoppage-time Chelsea equaliser and failing to track back, as noted by The Telegraph.
He has enjoyed something of a renaissance at Lyon, though, with 45 goals in 126 games for the French club; while United’s struggles in goal have seen Marcus Rashford and Daniel James as joint-top scorers this season with just three goals each, with Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard among those yet to get off the mark in 2019/20.
After Depay’s brace for Netherlands last night, these Manchester United fans on Twitter were left pining for the club’s former winger:
Two Players I Always Rated At United & Thought They We’re Unfairly Treated & Let Go. Memphis Depay & Daley Blind!! How Badly We Could Do With Them Both Now. More Brilliant Transfer Buisness United
— Liam Thomas (@LiamThomas19) October 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/BenBands/status/1182394833148809223
Someone please tell me United put a buy back clause for Depay..he’s way better than Rashford and Lingard combined
— ManlikeDizle (@am_lordizle) October 10, 2019
I think it’s time for Man United to buy back Memphis Depay. Dude has been on fire of late #NERNIR
— Music Kamikaze (@Edub4Music) October 10, 2019
I’d literally do anything to bring Depay back at United https://t.co/Gb4E5db41o
— Khezza (@Khezzzaa1) October 11, 2019
This management at united is a problem. Am sure @Memphis depay would love very much to play for Manchester united again
— kevo irus (@kevo_irus) October 11, 2019
Do you think Manchester United let Depay go too readily? Would he be worth bringing back to Old Trafford? Give us your views in the comments section below!
