Dwight Yorke has reacted to the news that Memphis Depay will not appear in the FA Cup final, having been dropped from the playing squad by Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.
The Dutch star has endured a torrid season at Old Trafford following his £31 million move from PSV, failing to live up to the reputation he had built in the Netherlands.
Considered by some to be the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo, the current wearer of the iconic number seven shirt has scored just seven goals in 45 games this term, contributing only twice in the Premier League.
He has not terrified defences in the manner expected of him, and the 22-year-old has started just two league games since the start of March.
He was not expected to be named in the starting line-up for the FA Cup final clash, but to be dropped from the travelling squad completely is a sign of just how far the youngster’s stock has fallen since the summer, and Yorke has admitted it has been a shame to see Depay’s decline.
The United treble winner said: “It’s a bit of a shame really, because when he came he came with a big reputation. Coming out of Dutch football he’d done really well and scored a lot of goals, and he got off to the perfect start at Manchester United.
“We all thought: ‘Yeah, we’ve got someone here who’s a bit special who’s going to excite the fans.’
“Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out that way for him, and he’s found it very difficult.
“He’s been in and out of the team, and as the season’s progressed he seems to have struggled going forwards.”
Despite Depay’s struggles, it is unfair to write him off just yet considering he is still a youngster adapting to his first season in English football.
Yorke has highlighted the fact he still has youth on his side, and he wants the starlet to learn from his FA Cup final exclusion as he prepares for next season.
He continued: “He’s still a young man; he’s only 22. Hopefully this will be a learning curve, and he’ll come back next year stronger and fitter and raring to go.
“But this will be a massive disappointment for him, not being in the squad for Wembley tomorrow.”
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