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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Chris Doyle

Paul Pogba's comment to Memphis Depay that made up his mind to leave Man Utd

Memphis Depay has revealed a conversation with Paul Pogba was confirmation that he needed to leave Manchester United.

The Dutch winger was a huge disappointment at Old Trafford when he joined from PSV in 2015 as he struggled for game time under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.

Depay would only score on two occasions for the Red Devils before joining Lyon after just two seasons.

But the Netherlands international has revived his career since as he spent four successful years in France, before securing a move to Barcelona this summer.

Depay has flown out the blocks at the Nou Camp with two goals in his first three games and he continued that form for his country during the international break as he netted five goals in their World Cup Qualifier triple-header, including a hattrick in the 6-1 rout of Turkey.

Memphis Depay scored a hattrick for the Netherlands against Turkey (Reuters)

Do you think Manchester United regret selling Memphis Depay? Comment below

For one reason or another, it didn't work out for Depay at United, but he says leaving Manchester is the best decision he's ever made.

And it was when teammates Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were asking him why he wasn't playing, he knew it was time to go.

Depay told El Periodico: "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.

"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.

Memphis Depay signed for Barcelona this summer (AFP via Getty Images)

"[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.'

"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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