Memphis Depay’s former coach Fred Rutten feels the youngster could follow in the footsteps of Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp and prove himself in one of Europe’s top leagues in the future after his disappointing spell at Manchester United.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Red Devils from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2015, failed to make a lasting impression at Old Trafford.




Lyon are on the verge of completing the signing of the Dutchman, who has managed to clock up just 134 minutes over eight appearances in all competitions for Manchester United in the present campaign.

But Rutten, who managed Depay at PSV, refused to write the winger off.
 


"We must never write Memphis off”, he told Dutch magazine Voetbal International.

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“He has the character to forget [the Manchester United episode] and come back [strongly].

“Not that it was a huge step up from the Premier League to the absolute top.

"The expectation was huge.

"He couldn’t deliver, but does that still mean he cannot play football?"

Rutten explained that several Dutch players have previously struggled after moving to major European leagues from the Eredivisie.

The Al Shabab boss went on to add that Depay could take a leaf out of Bergkamp’s book; the former forward struggled at Inter Milan before attaining cult status at Arsenal.

"In the past there have been many Dutch players whose transition from the Eredivisie to abroad has not been smooth”, Rutten continued.

"Dennis Bergkamp was in my opinion not happy in Italy, but he subsequently did a great job at Arsenal.

“For Memphis it's good that he's just going to play just below the top level. If he succeeds there, he can still succeed at the top.

"That kid can play football awfully good.”

Depay made 45 appearances for Manchester United last season, netting seven times and setting up six goals.