'Memphis is struggling because he misses his mother'

Manchester United playmaker Memphis Depay [PHOTO: COURTESY]

Manchester United playmaker Memphis Depay’s time on the pitch has been limited since his move to Old Trafford and the player's ex-coach thinks he knows at least part of the reason behind his dismal performance.

Former PSV manager Fred Rutten believes that Memphis Depay's struggles at Manchester United may be in part down to being so far away from his mother.

Memphis, who moved to Old Trafford following a stellar season in which he won the Eredivisie as the league's top scorer in 2015, has failed to recreate the same form he showed in the Netherlands and has found first-team opportunities hard to come by as a result.

With his father having walked out on the family when he was a child, the 22-year-old naturally has a strong relationship with his mother and Rutten, Memphis' former boss, believes not being able to see her regularly may be affecting his performances.