Rene Meulensteen Explains Why Memphis Depay Never Became a Consistent Star at Europe’s Biggest Clubs
Memphis Depay has enjoyed a career filled with high-profile moves, major clubs, and international recognition, yet questions remain over whether the Dutch forward could have achieved even more at the highest level of European football.
Memphis Depay’s former coaches explain why the Dutch forward struggled to consistently shine at Europe’s top clubs.
The former PSV Eindhoven star currently plays for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista in Brazil after previous spells with Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Olympique Lyonnais and Atletico Madrid. Although he has earned 108 appearances for the Netherlands national football team, he never truly became a dominant figure for Europe’s elite clubs.
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Memphis’ rise began in the Eredivisie, where his performances for PSV and Golden Boot-winning campaign convinced United to invest £25 million ($34m) in the attacker in 2015. Supporters at Old Trafford believed the talented winger could become one of the Premier League’s standout stars.
Instead, his time in England proved difficult. He managed only seven goals in his first season, with just two scored in league competition. After Jose Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal at United, Memphis was eventually sold to Lyon in January 2017.
The move to France helped revive his form and confidence, leading to a free transfer to Barcelona in 2021. But the departure of Lionel Messi shortly after Memphis arrived increased expectations around the Dutch attacker at Camp Nou.
His stay in Spain was short-lived. After one full season at Barcelona, Memphis moved to Atletico Madrid before later continuing his career in South America with Corinthians.
In Brazil, he has developed into a fan favourite because of his technical skills and flair-filled style that fits naturally with the atmosphere in Sao Paulo.
Former United assistant Rene Meulensteen believes Memphis had the ability to achieve more, but lacked the relentless mentality required to thrive consistently at 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.”
Jose Mourinho also shared his own view on why the Dutch forward struggled to establish himself 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 aged 32, Memphis appears settled in Brazil and focused on enjoying football without concern for outside criticism. Playing alongside former United colleague Jesse Lingard, he continues to entertain supporters while preparing for another important chapter with the Netherlands national football team at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
