Why Memphis Depay Failed to Fully Deliver at Manchester United and FC Barcelona
Former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meulensteen believes Memphis Depay should have achieved more during his career, but says inconsistency and mentality issues stopped the Dutch forward from becoming a true star at Europe’s biggest clubs.
Rene Meulensteen explains why Memphis Depay never fully succeeded at Europe’s elite clubs despite his undeniable talent.
Despite representing clubs such as Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, while also earning 108 caps for the Netherlands national football team, Memphis never fully established himself among football’s elite.
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The forward first rose to prominence with PSV Eindhoven, winning the Eredivisie Golden Boot before sealing a £25 million ($34m) move to Old Trafford in 2015. At the time, he was viewed as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking prospects and a player capable of developing into a Premier League star.
However, his spell in England failed to meet expectations. Memphis scored just seven goals during his debut season, with only two coming in Premier League matches. By January 2017, with Jose Mourinho in charge, he was sold to Olympique Lyonnais after struggling to make an impact.
His career regained momentum in France, where his attacking output improved significantly. That resurgence earned him a move to FC Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021. Soon after his arrival, Lionel Messi left Camp Nou, increasing the pressure on Memphis to deliver.
Still, he lasted only one full season in Catalunya before joining Atletico Madrid. After a 16-month stay there, the Dutchman moved to Brazil with Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.
At Corinthians, Memphis has become popular with supporters thanks to his technical quality, flair, and entertaining style of play, attributes that suit football culture in Sao Paulo.
Speaking exclusively to GOAL through Best Betting Bonuses, Meulensteen explained why he believes Memphis fell short at Europe’s top clubs.
“Yeah, I think so. But it also doesn't really surprise me that he hasn't.
“I don't think he has got that real iron mentality like a Bruno has - wanting to perform every single training session, every single game. I don't think Memphis has that.
“You know, his performance curves have always been up and down - some good things and then he doesn't show up. That is obviously what you need at big clubs like Manchester United, you have to perform at your best every single game.”
Former United manager Jose Mourinho also previously reflected on why Memphis struggled during his time at Old Trafford.
“I read something about Wayne Rooney telling that Memphis went to a reserve match playing with the kids and he arrived with this big Rolls Royce and his cowboy hat and that was a little bit of Memphis.
“Good guy, really good guy. Good professional. He is a really good professional, people can look at him and think this is another party boy.
“Sometimes they go too early to the biggest clubs where they are not ready to cope with it and understand at the biggest clubs there is internal competition and you cannot play all the time. There are fantastic players to fight with you for a position. They lose a little bit of their sense of reality and they become a little bit childish, which was, in the end, what happened.”
Now playing alongside former United team-mate Jesse Lingard at Corinthians, Memphis appears focused on enjoying his football and entertaining supporters.
The 32-year-old no longer seems concerned by criticism and continues to embrace the game with freedom and confidence. After spells with several of world football’s biggest clubs, he is also expected to remain an important figure for the Netherlands national football team at the 2026 World Cup finals in North America.
