United ‘flops’ flip the script this summer
MANCHESTER UNITED fans could be forgiven for thinking what might have been watching two of their former stars flourish at Euro 2020.
Memphis Depay and Romelu Lukaku are among the stand-out performers, having plundered two and three goals for Holland and Belgium respectively.
Depay has just secured a move to Barcelona, while Lukaku’s goals led Inter Milan to their first Serie A title in 11 years last month.
Why did it not work out for both forwards at Old Trafford? And were United too quick to pull the plug?
Lukaku, left, wanted out as soon as Jose Mourinho’s replacement Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it clear he was not part of his long-term plans. Despite scoring 42 goals in 96 appearances for United, including 27 in his debut campaign, he lasted two seasons.
While Lukaku leaving was accepted as the best resolution for both parties, the same cannot be said for Depay, who was jettisoned after just a season and a half.
Signed by Louis van Gaal for £25million from Ajax amid huge expectation and handed United’s iconic No.7 shirt, Depay’s move to the Theatre of Dreams turned into a nightmare.
In 33 league appearances he scored two goals and left for Lyon in January 2017 for £16m.
But having departed at 22, Depay is now in his prime at 27, fulfilling the potential that was always evident and suggesting United may have acted too soon.
He is the kind of attacker United could do with now, his positional versatility making him an ideal option for manager Solskjaer.