Depay’s Man Utd future in doubt after being axed for cup final

Rob Conlon
Memphis Depay: Winger has not traveled to Wembley

Memphis Depay’s Manchester United future has been cast into further doubt after he was axed from Louis van Gaal’s squad for the FA Cup final.

Van Gaal’s decision not to include Depay in his 18-man party highlights just how far the 22-year-old’s stock has fallen since his £25million move from PSV Eindhoven last summer.

Much was expected of the Dutchman, who finished last season as the top goalscorer in the Eredivisie and had impressed in the 2014 World Cup under Van Gaal.

However, Depay has hugely underwhelmed, scoring only twice in the Premier League and failing to nail down a place in United’s starting line-up.

Stoke were linked with a surprise move for the winger last month, while his attitude at Old Trafford was being questioned as early as October.

And there are likely to be further questions about Depay’s long-term future at the Red Devils, although former United striker Dwight Yorke insists he can bounce back from the disappointment.

“It’s a bit of a shame really, because when he came he came with a big reputation. Coming out of Dutch football he’d done really well and scored a lot of goals, and he got off to the perfect start at Manchester United,” he said.

“Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that way for him, and he’s found it very difficult. He’s still a young man; he’s only 22. Hopefully this will be a learning curve, and he’ll come back next year stronger and fitter and raring to go.

“But this will be a massive disappointment for him, not being in the squad for Wembley.”

Teenage defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has also missed out on selection, with Van Gaal instead opting for Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini, who returns from suspension having missed the last three matches.