Manchester United fans have branded Memphis Depay’s £2.6m (€3m) transfer to Atletico Madrid on Friday as a missed opportunity for Erik ten Hag.
The striker had been a consideration for the Reds as they searched for a forward this month before landing on Wout Weghorst, whose loan cost £2.6m to enact due to his scheduled season-long stay at Besiktas ending early.
Depay, 28, had an underwhelming stay at United between 2015 and 2017, scoring just seven times in 53 matches but his output in recent seasons had supporters suggesting that Ten Hag should try and bring him back to the club.
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Post-United, the Netherlands star rediscovered his form at Lyon and after recording 76 goals and 55 assists for the French club, he secured a move to Barcelona in 2021. Depay netted 13 times in 28 matches in his first campaign before injury hampered his progress this season.
With Robert Lewandowski now the main frontman at the Nou Camp, the Dutchman sought a move elsewhere after scoring once in just four appearances for Barcelona this term.
And after Atletico allowed Joao Felix to be loaned to Chelsea, they came calling for Depay as his replacement.
He moves to the Spanish capital on a two-and-a-half year deal after being allowed to miss Barcelona training on Wednesday to complete the deal. United fans on Twitter are irked that their club had not moved for Depay, given the low fee he was bought for.
Many were disappointed that an Old Trafford return had not been secured given this, while others questioned the player’s decision to move to Atletico.
@sickpattern: S*** from us not going getting Depay.
@UTDTreyyyy: This guy isn’t serious. He could’ve come to United but instead he’s going to a place where they play terrible football.
@NuelWilliams: Just €3million????… Even Man Utd defender, [Phil] Jones would cost more.
@TheYOLOartist: Shame we missed out on signing Memphis Depay but at least it wasn’t another Premier League club that got him, that would’ve been tough to see.
@JalmuXD: €3m for Memphis is outrageously cheap. Why weren't we all over this?
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