Depay strikes me as the very definition of a 'confidence player'.

I'd be disappointed if we gave up on him at this stage, but as has been said, game time looks likely to be very limited, which won't help that confidence.

A loan might not be a bad shout.

Depay I think is a very talented player, he seemed torque been shackled by LvG, as I don't think tracking back and doing defensive work is what he is good at.

He seems to be far better running at players, and doing things without thinking about "what happens if I get tackled, where should I be then?"

Just let him get other ball and try things, if they don't come off, so be it, that is the risk that one should take with a player who is potentially very exciting.

His problem is that he's up against Martial, barring any positional changes implemented by the manager.

Martial also likes to run at players, and he's proven to be more successful at it, thus far. Martial also seems to be more willing to 'put a shift in', tracking back.

If Depay was Ronaldo, he could get away with it. But he's not, so I can't see Mourinho standing for it. I think that he's got a hell of a job on, trying to get into that team.

Yeah, this is spot on. The idea that Mourinho is going to be happy just letting this guy continue doing a sub-par Martial impression, and not expect him to do much else in terms of defensive cover, is ridiculous.

I was not suggesting we play him instead of Martial, as the latter has firmly established himself as a first choice player, just that he should be kept on as a rotational option.

We have a lot of matches to play this season (hopefully we can go quite far in the Europa League as well), so perhaps he could come in then to play in those matches, when José deems it okay to rotate the squad.

I do think that there is a very good attacking player in Depay, we just need to nurture that bit in him carefully.

Would it be better if he were better defensively, possibly so, but I do like him driving and running at players, he seems to really enjoy doing that, but he seems to find the tracking back a bit of a chore, which is obviously not a good trait to have in a José team.

However if we can harness his abilities in the right way, then I do still think he can do well for us.

I didn't say that you were. I said that it was his problem.

Maybe he doesn't want to be 'kept on as a rotational option'. There aren't may players who are happy to be second choice, and he may feel that his career is stalling.

Even when Martial is left out, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mourinho use other options ahead of Depay.

I would suggest on his wage packet, he would be very happy to be kept around as a rotational option, as there surely can't be that many teams who would be prepared and able to either match his wages, or improve on them, if he were to fancy a move away from us.

If he is not second choice behind Martial, then who would you suggest might be then? Young?

On a quick subject change, it seems as if Smalling is not the only suspension we have got going into the Bournemouth match, as it seems Pogba is also serving a one match ban as well.

https://twitter.com/MrStephenHowson/...469937664?s=09

Paul Pogba booked twice in last season's Coppa Italia, which means a one-game ban. [FA] #MUFC

Contrary to popular belief, it isn't always about the money. Depay is a very promising, young player. Even if he couldn't get equal wages elsewhere, he's hardly going to be earning a pittance.

It's possible that the player is ambitious and frustrated. At his age, money's great and everything, but he'll want to be playing. He's only got to look at Januzaj to see where he could be heading.

I didn't say that he isn't second-choice, behind Martial. I said that it wouldn't surprise me, if Mourinho considered different options. It's not my job to suggest what those options might be, but there are alternatives, if Martial is out.

Makes no odds. He wouldn't have played, regardless.

Yeah Pogba wasn't getting in the team after a couple of days. Mightn't even see him until the City game.

I'd like to think he'd have more pride than that. That makes him no better than the spongers who sit at home scounging off the state thinking "Ah as long as I've got my money for xxx then I don't care"

If he's even remotely ambitious, you'd suspect he won't be happy warming the bench throughout his time at Old Trafford. If he is happy with that, I'm not sure he's the correct player for us. It's a tough situation for the guy, but he was dreadful in his first season.

Memphis has got a lot of competition in the wide areas, and next to no chance of starting any games through the middle. Although I'm no fan of Young, he can at least operate as a more defensive option over on the left if we need him, so might find himself coming on when we're looking to close out a game

Again, we all agree with the 'want him to do well as that would be good for the team blah blah', but he's probably going to struggle to get starts this season, aside from possibly some cup games.

Of course it might not always be about the money, but it will have a large say in where he ends up, he will not be accepting peanuts to play elsewhere at this stage in his career, if he were to move elsewhere, he would still be wanting to have a nice payday.

Players have ambitions, and will wish to play games, but equally so, it is a bit of a step down from is to go and play games elsewhere in a smaller stadium.

A lot has to be taken into consideration when a player decides to leave us.

That is not be trying to be arrogant or anything like that, it is just looking at things as they currently are.

As for not suggesting options, well you suggested that Depay might not be José first choice for Martial's replacement, but who else is there? Young can play on the left, but hasn't really done so in recent times, Adnan can, but he looks out of favour, so what other options are there (unless I am missing someone)??
Mikatarayn seems more of a right sided player, Pogba more of a central player, Mata perhaps, surely doesn't really suit that side??

So, to me Memphis seems to suit being first choice behind Martial on that side of the pitch.


I think he might have got game time off of the bench, shame really as he seems raring to go.

is that a dig at our friend battdude?? if yes CHECK YOUR FACTS. he is a hard working man now coming to the end of the first week of his first ever job. he is prob tired and doesnt deserve such treatment. he was no scrounger he will ill !

Surely we wouldn't play him in such a high profile game without any minutes behind him, the Hull game looks to me to be the best game for him.

All games are the same. You don't necessarily need more minutes behind you because the game is of a higher profile. You could be right though if the City game is the aim then he might well get half hour vs Hull, then play first half/hour against City.

Januzaj has gone to Sunderland on loan.

Please don't be so confrontational!! It was aimed at the people who actually don't work for a living and I'm sorry if I come across as a slightly mental Daily Mail reader but I'm a big believer in paying your way through life.

i am so sorry jotaylor! i could not agree more about paying your way through life. it gets me so angry when i hear about slobs wasting there time and the taxpayers money and not doing anything to contribute to society. i dont know how they can live with themselves. however. if someone is ill, then that is a different matter.

Talking of form, with regards Memphis and Martial, neither have really been pulling up trees this pre-season and Martial finished last season rather subdued. If it is going down to form who plays on the left, they could be flip flopping more than Trump over the next few weeks.

Yup, I was just going to mention this, so another option out wide gone for the season.

Take a look at @SunderlandAFC's Tweet: https://twitter.com/SunderlandAFC/st...169673216?s=09

It would be best if players are in form going into such high profile games, and you only really get form by playing games, so the Hull game seems to be idea to get a few minutes, before such a high profile game as the City one.

Thanks for the info. Sensible move for all parties.


Why? Please stop spamming the thread with these pointless tw*tter links.

It is the official twitter of the club involved, so not spam at all.