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Man Utd transfer news: Jose Mourinho only sold Memphis Depay to Lyon because of one player
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho only sanctioned Memphis Depay’s move to Lyon because he wanted to play his own singing, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, is has been claimed.
Memphis Depay shows off his skilful footwork for Lyon
Manchester United boss Mourinho inherited Depay when he succeeded Louis van Gaal as manager back in the summer if 2016.
The Holland international had signed from PSV Eindhoven a year previously but, during his debut season in the Premier League, failed to kick on.
So dire did his situation at Manchester United become under Van Gaal he was omitted from the squad for the Red Devils’ FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace three years ago.
Mourinho made a splash in the transfer market when he took the reins, landing Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund.
And the Manchester Evening News say Mourinho only allowed Depay to go because he wanted Mkhitaryan to feature more often.
However, that was another transfer faux pas the club made.
The Armenia international appeared to sign for United for political reasons.
The player is represented by Mino Raiola, who the club were trying to sweeten at the time.
United poached one Raiola client on a free transfer in the form of maverick striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
But they also wanted Paul Pogba.
Mkhitaryan signed for United shortly before the France international and various reports have speculated he was only signed to butter the agent up.
The MEN’s report, though, suggests that Jose Mourinho truly wanted him to be a club hit.
However, Mkhitaryan left for Arsenal in January, moving to the Emirates in a straight swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez.
Depay, though, has kicked on away from the Old Trafford spotlight.
The Holland international recently scored twice as his country beat Germany 3-0 in their Nations League showdown.
And his form for Lyon has been nothing short of exemplary.
Depay bagged 19 goals from 36 matches for the Ligue 1 giants last season, firing them a spot in the Champions League along the way.