Mourinho talks about Depay’s time at United

Joe Williams

Memphis Depay “was a fantastic professional” during his time at Manchester United, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

The Netherlands international confirmed his move to Ligue 1 side Lyon on Twitter with the French side announcing that he will be unveiled on Friday afternoon.

Depay only started once this season for United in a League Cup match, while he appeared off the bench in seven other games.

However, contrary to reports, Mourinho has hailed the 22-year-old as a model pro and as someone who had respect for everyone at the club.

“He was a fantastic professional,” Mourinho said. “If someone thinks it didn’t work because he wasn’t a great professional, that’s totally wrong.

“One thing is some picture that someone takes with him in an amazing car or dressing in a very specific way, but the image is totally wrong.

“He’s a kid that respected everyone and worked hard to have more chances, a kid that was frustrated because he was not having that.”

Depay made 29 Premier League appearances last season under Louis van Gaal but he failed to force his way into Mourinho’s plans with too many other wingers at Old Trafford.

“I have only good things to say about him, he is in the one position where we have overbooking, we have more wingers,” Mourinho added.

“It is a position where we never have problems, we have Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Ashley Young even Rooney.

“When I had to rotate I found that I had seven players for two positions. We had too many in that position.

“Of course, I believe he [Memphis] has potential to be a fantastic player. Mr. Van Gaal saw his flashes of top quality.”