Dirk Kuyt has advised Memphis Depay to think carefully over a move to Manchester United, advising him that Liverpool may be a better option.
Holland international Depay has been in sensational form this season as he has top-scored in the Eredivisie with 20 goals in 27 appearances, in turn helping PSV Eindhoven win a first league title since 2008. He is unlikely to be plying his trade at the Philips Stadion next season though, with the Dutch club willing to let him leave during the summer for around £25million.
This is a fee United are prepared to pay, as head coach Louis van Gaal seeks a reunion with a player he coached at the World Cup Finals last year. The Old Trafford side are expected to face competition from rivals Liverpool and, to a lesser extent, Tottenham Hotspur, whilst French giants Paris Saint Germain are also keep and certainly able to match any financial package offered.
But there is no doubt that United are favourites to sign the 22-year-old, who would also likely be involved in UEFA Champions League action by making such a move. However, former Anfield favourite Kuyt has advised his compatriot to think carefully over a move to Manchester, offering the opinion that for his own development, he should instead head towards Merseyside.
“I look through red glasses, because I’ve played six years for Liverpool. Only when Memphis does that, he will realize how big Liverpool are,” the 34-year-old told De Telegraaf. “Of course it would be an advantage at Manchester United because he knows the manager. On the other hand it is important at his age that he plays every week. That’s the only way he can develop.”
Kuyt left Feyenoord for Liverpool in a £10million deal in the summer of 2006, and was a hugely popular figure at the club during a six-year stint in which he won the League Cup in 2012. He then moved to Fenerbahce in 2012, and although he currently remains at the Turkish club, earlier this month he agreed to rejoin former club Feyenoord at the start of the 2015-16 campaign.
Is Dirk Kuyt right – should Memphis Depay focus on regular first team football at Liverpool, or is this something he would get at Manchester United anyway?
