Memphis Depay's decline is surprising but the Man Utd star's trying to change

A 16th minute injury to Quincy Promes meant that Memphis Depay played in most of the Netherlands' 1-0 defeat by France (thanks to a brilliant Paul Pogba goal) on Monday. As Manchester United fans saw several times last season, Depay was lively but made no real impact. At least he got a chance. A first-choice starter for club and country a year ago, opportunities since have been few and far between; he's played only 12 minutes in seven Premier League games this term. He didn't even make the 18-man squad for four of them.

The 22-year-old has been training well, enjoying the freedom of Jose Mourinho's sessions and showing a determination that's won him respect among his peers and from his boss. That wasn't always the case in his first season at Old Trafford, when he had a reputation for ostentation. Several senior players had a word with him about the message he was sending out and rolled their eyes when he told them his plans for a weekend in Paris. His teammates were trying to help him, advise him. Being known for wearing fake gold teeth or having the biggest, flashiest car in the team when you're not even in the team was not seen as a positive.

It was the same in Holland, where he was ridiculed for an outrageous outfit and hat when he turned up for international duty in Noordwijk where the Dutch national team meet.

"His hat made headlines," recalls Dutch journalist Geert Langendorff from the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. "It became the symbol of his downfall, at United and the national team -- hubris, if you like. Nonetheless the general public and the media still believed him to be the brightest player of his generation."

And now?

"People are no longer in awe of him but see him as yet another talent who couldn't handle the fame and the money. The Dutch don't like flashiness or arrogance. Vincent Janssen [Spurs] doesn't have half the ability of Memphis, but he's revered while Memphis is seen somewhat as damaged goods."

The United players didn't approve either but Memphis has listened. In new arrival Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he found someone else he could look up to, seek out for advice and respect, someone who also came from a very tough background to thrive at the top level, someone who'd also played in the Netherlands.

Memphis isn't the only young United player who has given Jose Mourinho reasons for concern over how they conduct their lives away from the club. Anthony Martial and the United manager had words recently, with the Frenchman's form not what it was last season and distractions aplenty in his private life. He's young; he'll make mistakes as young players do. Young lads like Luke Shaw are entitled to enjoy themselves with mates in their free time, but it must be done in moderation.

At least Depay is now sending out the right signals. Mentally, he's said he's much better than last season. He also thinks he's a better player, faster and stronger than when he was at PSV. On Monday, he posted a photo of croissants ahead of the World Cup qualifier against France. "Non merci, not today #gameday," he tweeted of the French breakfast pastry. Croissants contain so much fat that United's players would rather eat a full English breakfast than a croissant, but we get the line in humour from Depay.

In a recent interview with Algemeen Dagblad, Memphis said of his off-field antics: "I don't hear much about that lately. People are probably getting tired of it, of talking about me driving an expensive car. But when I purely look at myself: I do grow. I try to learn and deal with things properly. I stay close to my identity, that's something I find important, but I don't completely shut myself of from the outside world. It's not like I don't care about anyone. I believe I'm on the right track. I try to make the right decisions."

"I'm very comfortable in my own skin. I feel confident. I feel there is a lot of confidence in me. I just don't get the opportunity yet to show that on the pitch. That's a pity, frustrating at times. But I'm convinced that moment will come [soon]."

If he gets another chance and enough minutes to get into a rhythm, Depay needs to take it; while other players and fans blamed Louis van Gaal for their underwhelming form last season, Memphis was supported by his boss who signed him.

"Van Gaal is not seen as the one who made him into a failure," explains Langendorff. "It's more the opposite. Despite Van Gaal's efforts to make things work for him, Memphis let him down. His omission from the FA Cup final squad is perceived as a right call from Van Gaal.

"Why couldn't he lay low and do what a footballer is supposed to do, which is forging a career in the Premier League and not driving around in high-end cars? The way he played at Stamford Bridge as a late substitute was highlighted in the press. It proved he didn't understand the stakes of his team leading 1-0 away from home."

Memphis' decline saddens and surprises people at his former club, PSV Eindhoven. A year ago they were convinced he'd make it at Old Trafford and praised his attitude, his professionalism and his drive. Stories of him staying behind after training abound at PSV's training ground. I spoke to several people there, including manager Phillip Cocu. They were proud when he went to United and the €25 million fee was significant. Depay was applauded by PSV fans when he returned with United, a game he started in and scored, but a year later, many at the club wonder whether he'll make it in Manchester.

"Now his name hardly shows up in the media," adds Langendorff. "That Danny Blind called him up for the national team didn't change that. No one expected him to play. He's a fringe player now. His management has been scrutinised as well. Apart from cashing in their fee shouldn't they have guided him better? He never was a choirboy, has a chequered past and needed someone to keep his feet firmly on the ground. That's what people, ex-professionals and journalists, are saying.

"It's sad to say, but the Dutch seem to have given up hope on Depay. He needs to deliver the goods, tone down and prove his worth at United. Only then he'll be fully embraced again by his countrymen. That Blind invited him should be seen as an olive branch. He has not been forgotten but there is still a very long road ahead for him."

"No time to relax, keep on running and working," posted Memphis after playing for Holland ahead of his return to Manchester to prepare for a game against Liverpool he's highly unlikely to start. United are in no rush to sell him or even loan him, but it's hard to see where he fits in at present. But as he has come to know only too well, matters in football can change very quickly.

Andy Mitten is a freelance writer and the founder and editor of United We Stand. Follow him on Twitter @AndyMitten.