The Netherlands international left the Red Devils in January and says his full focus is on life at Lyon, despite Jose Mourinho leaving the door open
Memphis Depay has refused to be drawn into a debate regarding a possible return to Manchester United just six months after leaving for Lyon.
The Netherlands international brought a frustrating 18-month stint at Old Trafford to a close during the winter transfer window when he completed a £21.6 million move to France.
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He was allowed to take on a new challenge after making just eight appearances under Jose Mourinho, and 53 in total following a 2015 arrival under Louis van Gaal.
Depay struggled to make his mark in England, but the door has been left open for him to return to United should he rediscover his best form in the future.
Quizzed by TuttoMercatoWeb on whether he has given any thought to such a switch, the 23-year-old said: “No, to be honest. It’s not in my thoughts.
“I’m very focused on Lyon, and I’m very happy about my choice, and I don’t think of anything else other than to do the best for this team.”
Despite offering him limited game time over the first half of the 2016-17 campaign, Mourinho admitted upon Depay’s departure that he would continue to monitor the forward.
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He said: “Potentially, he is a very good player.
“I think when Mr Van Gaal decided to buy him, he did well. He knew him well from the national team, when he was young in the World Cup he had flashes of top quality.
“He was playing well in Holland but not the same here, but he was showing very good things.
“He didn’t succeed in his 18 months but he is very young, so I think it is very important for the club to keep control of this talent, and we all wish he plays very well at Olympique Lyon and why not come back, because everyone really likes him.”
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While he was quick to head for the Old Trafford exits once transfer talk escalated, Depay is reluctant to speculate on whether former team-mate Anthony Martial could do likewise this summer.
The France international is not a guaranteed starter for United and has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A outfit Inter – potentially as part of a deal to take Ivan Perisic in the opposite direction.
On those rumours, Depay said: “Anthony is a great player, no doubt, and he is also a great person, I cannot do anything but wish him the best for the continuation of his career.”
Depay did start to find form after linking up with Lyon in the New Year, with five goals netted in 18 appearances – including an audacious effort from the halfway line against Toulouse in March.