The Dutchman has warned manager Louis van Gaal to use the right tactics with the highly rated youngster.
Pierre van Hooijdonk has warned Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal over his use of Memphis Depay next season, according The Mirror.
The winger became United’s first signing of the summer when he completed a move from PSV Eindhoven before last season finished.
He joins after enjoying a fine campaign with the Dutch champions, leading them to the title with 22 goals in the Eredivisie, as well as three in the Europa League.
That has created big excitement for his arrival at Old Trafford and Van Hooijdonk is confident he will make the step up – but has urged Van Gaal to use him correctly and not play him out of position.
“You have to create an environment the player has played in,” he told The Mirror.
“Memphis plays on the left. I don’t think he will play on the right. Maybe he could play in the two up front. A lot of coaches take a player out of that environment and put him in a different environment, and then it’s not going to happen.”
An interesting dilemma for Louis van Gaal
The question of whether United will adapt their tactics to Depay, or force Depay to adapt to their style, is certainly an interesting one.
Based on the formation they settled upon last season, it’s hard to see where the winger will fit in and, given the fine form of Ashley Young, it would be harsh to remove him from the side.
That could see him being deployed on the right, where they are particularly weak, but then could see the Dutchman struggle as Van Hooijdonk suggests. It is certainly a dilemma for Van Gaal and it will be interesting to see how he works it out come the new season.
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