Depay Departs United

Holland international Memphis Depay has departed Manchester United today after agreeing terms with French Ligue 1 side Lyon.

The initial fee is £16 million, however this could potentially rise to just short of £22 million. Depay was signed for The Red Devils in May 2015, by then manager Louis Van Gaal, with high expectations after a £25 million move from PSV Eindhoven. He was designated the famous Manchester United number 7 shirt and went on to make 53 appearances for the side, contributing seven goals. The Dutchman was expected to push on this season and cement his place in the United side, however he has only been able to make eight appearances this term for the Premier League side, which has resulted in his departure.  

At just twenty-two years old, Memphis Depay has age on his side. Having shown in the past his natural ability to beat players and score goals, this move could be exactly what forward needs to reignite his career. 

Depay joins up with a Lyon team who are currently in fourth place in the French Ligue 1, trailing current league leaders Monaco by eleven points and reigning Champions PSG, who currently sit in third place, by eight points. 

The fee received by Manchester United for Depay will go some way to returning some of the many millions which have been spent in recent years and to provide manager Jose Mourinho more cash to spend, should he feel the need to strengthen his side.