Three Young Guns Who Could Replace Manchester United’s Speed Dribbler

Memphis Depay’s struggles at Manchester United seem to have finally come to an end. After having made the move last season from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, the 22-year old has had to endure a torrid time at Old Trafford. But it has now been reported that the Mancunians have accepted an offer from French side Olympique Lyon for the winger and his departure is imminent.

Depay was afforded plenty of opportunities throughout his debut campaign by former manager Louis Van Gaal, but the Dutch winger flattered to deceive. And his lack of consistency and the difficulties to get up to the levels expected at a big club like Manchester United have meant he has hardly featured for the Red Devils under Jose Mourinho this term.

But now, he seems to be on his way out as he looks to revive his faltering career with Lyon in the French Ligue 1. While there is no shortage of wide players for Mourinho at the moment, but with their involvement in as many as four competitions, we take a look at three players who United could bring in to replace Memphis, ahead of his impending exit:

Andreas Pereira

The obvious way to go for Mourinho and United would be to recall their players on loan rather than investing heavily on a squad player in the January window. So, it will make perfect sense if United decide to bring back Andreas Pereira who is on loan with Spanish La Liga side Granada.

The versatile attacker hasn’t had the greatest time in Spain, having managed to score just one goal and assist one more throughout his 17 Liga appearances. But Pereira is someone who had impressed the manager in the pre-season and Mourinho has said previously that the Brazilian has a big future at Old Trafford.

With Ashley Young also linked with a move to China, it would only benefit United to recall Pereira and boost up the squad as they head into the business end of the season.

Adnan Januzaj

Another loanee, Januzaj is much closer to home than Pereira, plying his trade with former United manager’s Sunderland side. The 21-year old enjoyed a dream start to life at Old Trafford only to see it go downhill ever since.

Januzaj has featured 17 times for the Black Cats across all competitions this term and has scored one goal that came in the League Cup and has one assist to his name that came in the Premier League. The Belgian hasn’t been the most consistent performer for Moyes but has shown glimpses of his huge potential.

Having been continuously linked with a permanent move away from Old Trafford for quite some time now, this could prove to be the perfect opportunity for Mourinho to show his confidence in the youngster and convince him to stay with United for the future.

Leon Bailey

The Genk winger is one of the hottest prospects in Europe of the current times and that has seen him linked with a move to Manchester United in the January window.

Having debuted for the Belgian club in August 2015, the 19-year old has impressed everyone with his express pace, great technical skills and his ability to take on defenders. The Jamaican teenager has been in fine form for his side having scored 6 times this term and four of those goals have come in the Europa League, showing he has what it takes to make it on the big stages.

Genk have previously said that if a right bid is made, they will be forced to let go of their star wide-man, but the lack of first-team opportunities, if he makes a move to United, could prove to be a stumbling block. Still, he remains a fine prospect and it could happen that Bailey is seen strutting his stuff out at Old Trafford in the future.