Mourinho: This Is The Reason I Allowed Depay Join Lyon

Coach Jose Mourinho has explained that he allowed Memphis Depay to leave the club because he is overstocked with players in his position.

The Dutchman’s transfer to Ligue 1 side Lyon for an initial £17million rising to £21.7million  was confirmed on Friday.

Mourinho said Depay is a player from one position and his only position is one where they have overbooking.

“He [Depay] is a winger and wingers are what we have more of. So he was the position where it is more difficult to have chances” Mourinho said.

Mourinho is not far from the truth. He’ve got the likes of Lingard, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Ashley Young, and Marcus Rashford. And even Wayne Rooney at times played from the left. The position is one where they have difficulties when they want to do rotation.

Nevertheless, Man United have inserted a buy-back clause in the Depay deal and the Portuguese tactician says it is the wise thing to do because potentially he is a very good player.

“I think Van Gaal and Manchester United did very well to buy him. It did not succeed in all these 18 months I would say, but he is very young [and] I would say it’s very important for the club to have control of his talent.

We all wish he plays very well at Olympique Lyonnaise and he can come back because everyone here likes him.” the boss said.