The Lyon forward Memphis Depay has revealed what it was he said to Jose Mourinho after the Manchester United manager shipped him away from the club to French football.
Memphis, 24, came to Old Trafford with much anticipation attached under the reign of his countryman Louis van Gaal, but failed to make a mark at the club and came under criticism for a perceived lack of professionalism.
But a move to the continent has refreshed his career and now, while speaking to The Times, he’s made public the proclamation he made upon leaving the club.
"When I left, I said to Mourinho 'you will see me at the top'. He said 'OK, I hope that and I hope we will buy you back one day.' I never had a bad relationship with him."
The Netherlands international saw fit to leave a parting barb for his old gaffer, too, mentioning the style of play he prefers and two players who he hasn’t been able to coax the best out of during his control of the club.
"We didn't fall out, it was just a miss-connection with each other.
"As a team we didn't play great football and some things I don't understand - if you have talented young players, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and the others, they need freedom."
Memphis’ return to the club, should it eventually come through the reported buy-back clause that the deal that saw him switch to Lyon back in 2017 contains, might have to be after Mourinho departs, then.
