Mourinho tips Depay for possible Man Utd buy-back
Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho says he would not be surprised if Manchester United eventually activate the buy-back clause that they inserted in the transfer of Dutch winger Memphis Depay to French club Lyon.
Depay has suffered an underwhelming 18 months in English football since former United manager Louis van Gaal paid PSV Eindhoven a reported £25 million ($30.7 million, 28.8 million euros) for him in June 2015.
But United insisted on the option of buying the 22-year-old back from Lyon at a prearranged price, should the French club decide to sell him.
United could eventually lose nearly £5 million on Friday’s sale but the fact they inserted a sell-on clause and, more surprisingly, that buy-back option indicates Mourinho’s belief that the winger could eventually fulfil his potential.
“Potentially he is a very good player,” said the United manager. “I think when Mr van Gaal decided to buy him he did well. He knew him very well from the national team and he was very young in the World Cup.
“He had flashes of top quality. He was playing well in Holland. We know the Dutch league is not the same but he was showing some very good things.
“He didnât succeed in his 18 months but he is very young so I think itâs important for the club to keep control of his talent.
“We all wish he plays well at Olympique Lyon and then…