Experience at Manchester United made me better: Memphis Depay

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Bengaluru, August 20: Manchester United flop, Memphis Depay in a recent interview stated that his struggles at United made him a better player for his current club Olympique Lyon.

Depay joined United in summer 2015 under Louis Van Gaal for an estimated €30 million move and came to Old Trafford with a big reputation following the league triumph with PSV Eindhoven, and scoring the most number of goals in the league.

However, the Dutch international soon failed to find his feet at England and struggled to maintain his form over the two years at the club.

Depay scored just twice in 28 Premier League appearances under Van Gaal and under new manager Mourinho his chances became even more limited as he made just four substitute appearances in the English top flight.

To gain more game time, the 23-year-old later handed in a transfer request to move away from the club and in January last year, he eventually moved to Ligue 1 side Lyon in a deal initially worth €16million.

And now in a recent interview with 'L'Equipe', Depay has stated his hard times at England made him a better player today.

"In the first season, I didn't contribute enough, but I really believe you need a year to succeed in the Premier League, it's the fastest league in the world. The second, I had my self-belief back, but I didn't play," Depay was quoted as saying by L'Equipe Magazine.

"It's then that you look at yourself in the mirror and you ask yourself a lot of questions: 'Am I not good enough?' It was really tough. To stay positive, you have to be very strong mentally. That experience made me grow up and is useful to me today."

After such a difficult period, Depay again flourished in France after the move as he scored five goals, one of which was voted the Ligue 1 Goal of the Season and added seven assists in just 12 starts for OL last season.

The attacker has also shown his form this season, as he already opened his account with one goal and one assist in the Ligue 1 campaign.