Manchester United Fan View: Why Memphis Depay deserves another year

Memphis Depay signed for Manchester United last summer for a fee of £31m. Since then, the winger has failed to make any real impact, managing just two goals in 15 Premier League starts.

The main reason for Depay's poor debut season is Louis Van Gaal. The manager hasn't placed much faith in the 22-year-old and he also not benefited from United being so cautious with stats showing United are one of the least attacking sides in the league this season. Van Gaal has changed things around in recent weeks, allowing the side to express themselves with an attacking style of play, but it's come too late.

However, the club and the fans need to give Memphis time to settle, and Van Gaal needs to put more faith in him. Selling the youngster after one year at the club won't benefit anyone and will also cause other youngsters to think twice about joining the club. However, it's normal for a player to take some time to adjust to life in the Premier League.  

In September, United fans knew a lot about Depay but very little about Anthony Martial. Yet Martial has shone for the Red Devils since his debut. If it wasn't for the Frenchman's impressive solo goal against rivals Liverpool on his debut, maybe he would have suffered the same fate as Depay.

Introducing Depay straight into the line-up was a bad move by Van Gaal. He should have slowly given him minutes from the bench. Ashley Young, who was one of our best players last season should have continued, with the winger’s two goals and five assists having played a big part in United finishing in the top four.

Also, giving Depay the number seven, which was worn by many of United’s greatest players, may have added unnecessary pressure. This was the wrong choice and instead, the Dutchman should have earned it before receiving it. Antonio Valencia who was given the iconic number in the past, couldn’t handle the pressure of performing week in and out, so he decided to return back to the number 25.

Erik Lamela and Willian moved to the Premier League for huge fees just a few years ago. Both failed to live up to expectation in their debut season in England, but have become vital. United fans will hope this situation will be replicated by Memphis Depay.

Two of Depay’s best performances came against FC Midtjylland in a 5-1 win as well as United's 3-2- win against Arsenal, with the young Dutchman showing several times what he is capable of. Since then he has only made three starts which isn't enough to help him prove himself. Eleven out of his 16 appearances from the bench were for less than 20 minutes, is that enough for a player who is out of confidence?

United’s top goal scorer in the League is Martial on eight goals while Juan Mata is the top playmaker on four assists. This proves that United have been very limited under LVG and under his tactics, the club won’t be able to return to their best.

Despite having scored 22 league goals last season for PSV, it’s impossible for a player like Depay, to do wonders on a debut season in a side that can’t express themselves and are forced to play in a rigid system.

United are unlikely to finish in the top four looking but they have progressed to the FA Cup final. With some fans not willing to accept the fact that Van Gaal hasn't been good enough, Depay has turned into an easy target to be blamed during this season.

With Jose Mourinho rumoured to be taking over as manager of Manchester United in the summer, Depay could get a big chance to prove critics wrong very soon.