Former United Player Believes Memphis Depay Should Be Given a Chance and Compares Him to Zlatan

Former Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff has backed the ability of struggling winger Memphis Depay.

The 22-year-oldDutchman has made just 33 appearances since joining the club from PSV, and Cruyff has admitted that it may be a continued struggle for his compatriot.

In an interview withGulf News, Gruyffsaid:He's young and the first year is always an adaptation year.

"In the second year, you can feel more loose, but with the managerial change [of Mourinho replacing Louis van Gaal in the summer], and many new players, that second year he might have needed hasn't come.

United are also a club that cannot be four or five years without really competing to win things. There may be more changes, but I hope he will not be one of those victims and in the wrong club at the wrong time.

For sure, United are an amazing club, but I also think Depay is a good player.�

Cruyff,now technical director of Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv, likened Depay's difficulties with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's time at Barcelona, adding: "He was an amazing player, but it didn't happen for him. It doesn't mean the club are bad or the player is bad.�

Jordi Cruyff: "Memphis Depay is a good player. Even Ibrahimovic when he came to Barcelona, it didn't happen for him." pic.twitter.com/WwMevkG67x

Asked whether he would recommend Depay left Old Trafford, Cruyff was evasive but once again made clear his faith in the player's ability.

I would need to have a daily opinion to give advice like this,� he replied. In terms of stats, he's not getting enough minutes, but I don't know the ins and outs.

"But for sure, he has potential and he's showed that. Now the trick is to get that potential out on a weekly basis. Eventually it will come, but you just don't know where and when.�