“He turned up in Rolls-Royce and a cowboy hat” - Wayne Rooney opens up on hilarious Memphis Depay incident at Manchester United
Wayne Rooney has revealed that Memphis Depay turned up to a Manchester United reserves game in a Rolls-Royce and wearing a cowboy hat. However, Rooney stressed that the Dutchman would work hard every day in training to consistently improve his game.
Speaking on BBC Sport, Rooney talked about his time with Memphis at Manchester United and the difference in his on and off-field personas. The Englishman said:
“Yes and no, If I’m being honest [about Depay deserving bad reputation]. I think firstly you could never knock his work rate and his attitude in training. He always came in, he worked really hard every single day to try and improve himself."
He added:
“It was more [about] a few things off the pitch. I spoke to him about turning up at a reserve game once and being a bit more low-key. He turned up in a Rolls-Royce and a cowboy hat after I spoke to him. That was Memphis but if you look at it he was more of a winger at Manchester United and he’s adapted, changed his game, his movement is fantastic.”
Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay played 33 matches together at Manchester United. The two combined for just two goals, both scored by the Englishman – once each against Club Brugge and Sheffield United.
Memphis Depay comments on his failed stint at Manchester United
Memphis Depay spoke to El Periodico in 2023 about his time with Manchester United and claimed that he was frozen out by Jose Mourinho. He added that he had also lost the confidence of Louis van Gaal and his staff, saying (via GOAL):
"I’ve thought a lot about why it went wrong. The first season I had to adapt and it didn't go well compared to my time at PSV. I lost a bit of confidence and I lost the confidence of Van Gaal and his staff."
He added:
"It was hard for me. The following season I felt like I had more experience, but they changed the coach. Jose Mourinho came and I fought to get into the team but I think the idea of giving me a chance was never in his head. He never gave me an opportunity. Never."
Memphis Depay joined the Red Devils in the 2015 summer transfer window and played 53 matches, scoring seven goals and assisting five times. He left Manchester United for Lyon in the 2017 winter window.