Memphis Depay needs space to breathe

In the wake of criticism from countrymen Ruud Gullit it seems obvious that Memphis Depay could stand to be left alone

I’m not a huge believer in Manchester United attacker Memphis Depay. I agree with many who criticize him for his poor form on the season. However, at this point, he needs to be left alone if he’s ever going to become a success in the Premier League.

You know things are going poorly when your own countrymen start criticizing your attitude. That’s just what happened today when Dutch legend Ruud Gullit hit out at Depay. Per Gullit, Depay’s significant struggles at Old Trafford are largely due to his extravagant lifestyle that takes his focus away from football.

Guillit and others might be exactly right. Depay has been pretty awful since his big money move to United and he very possibly has fallen into the trap of becoming too rich and famous at a young age. I don’t dispute that being a distinct possibility in the least.

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What do I do find fault with is the continued criticism of Depay by everyone who has any knowledge of him. Exactly what do those people think they are accomplishing by piling on the much maligned superstar?

All they are actually managing to do is heap more pressure on a young man who has quite enough already. It’s plain to see by his struggles on the pitch that the expectations of his big money move are hanging around his neck like a mill stone. Everything he does on the field is labored. It’s almost sad to watch.

That’s why everyone just needs to leave him alone. I realize this is a pipe dream, but I still feel compelled to express myself on the topic. If he’s ever going to dig himself out of the large hole he’s dug himself he needs some time and space to work on himself.

He clearly has some lifestyle issues that need to be corrected and that isn’t going to happen with the public spotlight aimed directly at him. What’s more, he has some football issues to work out as well. It’s going to be quite a task to work those things out while playing for Manchester United. The club is not exactly a low pressure spot these days.

Many of you won’t have any sympathy for Depay. I can understand that. He’s young, rich, famous and gets paid a ton of cash for playing a game we all love. I just ask that you stop and think, if just for a moment, about what you’d think if it was your child going through these circumstances. I bet you’d want everyone to back off and give him a chance to get his life and profession back in order.

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