£159k-a-week target would have ‘point to prove’ at Old Trafford

Manchester United target Memphis Depay would have a big ‘point to prove’ if he made a sensational return to Old Trafford, journalist Pete O’Rourke believes.

Depay left Old Trafford for Ligue 1 side, Lyon in January 2017 after an unsuccessful two-year stint with the Red Devils.

What’s the latest news on Depay and Manchester United?

When Depay ditched United for Lyon in 2017, it was unimaginable that the forward would be linked with an Old Trafford return five years later. Yet after shining in France, before another disappointing move to La Liga giants Barcelona, the Netherlands international could be on the move in January, according to reports from Spain.

A multitude of Premier League clubs have been linked with the 28-year-old forward, with Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United rumoured to have shown interest. However, as the search for Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement rumbles on, it is United who have emerged as a shock suitor for Depay’s signature.

Speaking on Twitter, BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone hinted that United may be eyeing up a surprise move for Depay in January.

“Memphis Depay been mentioned a few times as kind of striker Man United might try and sign next month,” revealed Stone.

Depay, who pockets a reported £159,000 per week, joined Barcelona 18 months ago and has struggled for form at the Camp Nou so far. A total of 41 games have yielded just 14 goals for Depay, with summer signing Robert Lewandowski having overtaken him in the pecking order. Now, as the January window edges closer, an Old Trafford reunion could be on the cards for Depay instead.

What’s O’Rourke said about Depay and Man United?

Speaking in an interview with GIVEMESPORT, journalist O’Rourke admitted United are interested in exploring a deal to sign Depay in January.

“Depay is another player that has been on the radar at United for a while and Erik ten Hag will know all about him from his Dutch contacts.

“It does seem like Depay will be moving on from Barcelona so again Depay might come back to Old Trafford and feel he has a point to prove after his first stint didn’t work out.”

Would an Old Trafford return make sense for Depay?

Having arrived at Barcelona as Lionel Messi’s replacement in the summer of 2021, Depay faces another tricky task of replacing one of the game’s greats in Ronaldo at Old Trafford. Failure to live up to lofty expectations was part of the reason his Barcelona move failed, but given the circumstance surrounding Ronaldo’s recent departure things may be different for Depay this time.

At just 28 years old, Depay still has plenty of time to resurrect his career once more and re-establish himself as one of Europe’s best. Showing glimpses of his quality in the recent World Cup, Depay netted once during five appearances for the Netherlands as Louis van Gaal’s side reached the quarter-finals of the competition, before being knocked out by eventual champions Argentina.

News Now – Sport News



Source link

About Author