PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn believes that Manchester United should not dump Memphis Depay on the back of a difficult first season in England for the Dutchman.
Manchester United snapped Depay up from PSV last summer and the winger was tipped for big things at Old Trafford.
But Depay struggled to make his mark in the cut and thrust of the Premier League, soon slipping out of favour, while he also drew criticism for his flashy lifestyle off the pitch.
Bergwijn is full of admiration for what Depay has had to overcome in his life to reach the top level and believes his former team-mate should be cut some slack.
"I find it sad that so many people talk negatively about him", the 18-year-old explained to Dutch magazine ELF Voetbal.
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"I have nothing but respect for Memphis.
"If you know where he comes from, what he has had to do to reach the top, I have a lot of respect for that."
Manchester United beat off competition from Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain for Depay's signature and paid around £25m to secure the winger.
And given the Red Devils' outlay, Bergwijn feels the club cannot simply afford to give up on Depay after one lacklustre season.
"From PSV to Manchester United is a big step, and you can't put a player who has cost a lot of money in the garbage.
"I think he deserves a second chance, so he can show how the real Memphis is", Bergwijn added.
Depay was signed by countryman Louis van Gaal, who also managed the winger at international level with the Netherlands.
However, Van Gaal was sacked at the end of last season and now Jose Mourinho is in charge at Old Trafford.
