"?Former Manchester United midfielder Jordi Cruyff has backed the ability of struggling winger Memphis Depay.


The 22-year-old Dutchman has made just 33 appearances since joining the club from PSV, and Cruyff has admitted that it may be a continued struggle for his compatriot.


In an interview with "?Gulf News, Gruyff said: "He's young and the first year is always an adaptation year. 


"In the second year, you can feel more loose, but with the managerial change [of Mourinho replacing Louis van Gaal in the summer], and many new players, that second year he might have needed hasn't come.

"United are also a club that cannot be four or five years without really competing to win things. There may be more changes, but I hope he will not be one of those victims and in the wrong club at the wrong time.


"For sure, United are an amazing club, but I also think Depay is a good player."?


Cruyff, now technical director of Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv, likened Depay's difficulties with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's time at Barcelona, adding: "He was an amazing player, but it didn't happen for him. It doesn't mean the club are bad or the player is bad."?

Jordi Cruyff: "Memphis Depay is a good player. Even Ibrahimovic when he came to Barcelona, it didn't happen for him." pic.twitter.com/WwMevkG67x

Asked whether he would recommend Depay left Old Trafford, Cruyff was evasive but once again made clear his faith in the player's ability.


"I would need to have a daily opinion to give advice like this,"? he replied. "In terms of stats, he's not getting enough minutes, but I don't know the ins and outs. 


"But for sure, he has potential and he's showed that. Now the trick is to get that potential out on a weekly basis. Eventually it will come, but you just don't know where and when."?

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