Loius Van Gaal Warns Memphis Depay

The Red Devils boss insisted that he still believes in the 21-year-old but suggested that the player has to adapt if he is to remain at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has warned Memphis Depay that he must adapt to the philosophy of the club or risk seeing his Old Trafford career end in similar circumstances to Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao. 

Both Di Maria and Falcao arrived with much fanfare at the start of the 2014-15 season, with the Argentinian remaining the club's record signing at £59.7 million, but the two players have since left the club after failing to perform. 

The Argentina winger was sold to Paris Saint-Germain in the recent transfer window, making room for the £25 million signing of Depay, while the Colombian striker now plys his trade at Chelsea after United chose not to make the loan deal from Monaco permanent. 

And Van Gaal praised the talent of Depay, who was an unused substitute in the club's 3-0 win over Everton on Saturday, but insisted that the Dutch winger must adapt to the team's philosophy or face falling by the wayside.

“Some players cannot adapt to the team philosophy,” Van Gaal told reporters. “That you cannot know in advance. You have to see that.

“Because you see a lot of qualities in a player, but Depay has to put that quality in service of your team.

“That also happened with Di María and Falcao – both great players but you have to fit in with the philosophy. Not only with Memphis, with every player that we have bought.”

Depay impressed in his opening handful of appearances at Old Trafford, netting a brace in the Champions League play-off match with Club Brugge, but the 21-year-old has struggled in Premier League matches, with his form tailing off since August. 

But Van Gaal remained optimistic about the Dutchman's future, with the United boss insisting that he still believes in Depay and, like all young players, the winger needs time to progress. 

"Do I still believe in him? Of course," the former Netherlands manager added.

“The problem with young players is they are not consistent. That you have to learn. We have to give him time.”

Van Gaal also revealed that assistant manager Ryan Giggs had been playing a key role in the 21-year-old's development, offering the player advice, though the Dutch coach maintained that Depay is ultimately responsible for himself.

“Ryan has already given advice to him but the player is responsible for his own deeds," said the United boss.