Memphis Depay has claimed even his own Manchester United teammates were baffled by his lack of playing time at Old Trafford.
The Dutch international arrived at United with high hopes from PSV Eindhoven and was regarded as one of Europe's elite prospects at the time. He had scored in the 2014 World Cup and set the Eredivisie alight with stellar performances.
But he never managed to settle at Old Trafford and struggled to recapture the form he had during his time in the Netherlands before eventually leaving for pastures new in France, joining Lyon.
Speaking about his time at United with Spanish outlet El Periodico, Depay opened up about his departure and lifted the lid on his situation with United's managers at the time.
"I've thought a lot about why it went wrong. The first season I had to adapt and it didn't go well compared to my time at PSV.
"I lost a bit of confidence and I lost the confidence of [Louis] van Gaal and his staff.
"It was hard for me. The following season I felt like I had more experience, but they changed the coach."
Depay lamented Jose Mourinho's arrival at Old Trafford and revealed even his own teammates were surprised by his regular omission.
"Jose Mourinho came and I fought to get into the team but I think the idea of giving me a chance was never in his head. He never gave me an opportunity. Never.
"I went to his office but it changed nothing. It was a very difficult period, I felt that I was training well and the players themselves did not understand it.
"[Paul] Pogba and Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] told me: "Why don't you ever play?" For me that was the confirmation that I had no chance. And I realised that I didn't want to be in a big club without playing."
Depay has since moved on from Lyon, joining Barcelona this summer, and he does not seem to regret the decision to leave.
"I realised [at United] that I had to start over and show everyone that I could be one of the best.
"I had a long contract, of five years, and a good salary, but I did not feel comfortable. So I left and it was the best decision I could have made."
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