Man Utd's Memphis Depay backed by Louis van Gaal after axing from Netherlands squad

Louis van Gaal has vowed to stay patient with Memphis Depay at Manchester United after the winger was dropped from the Netherlands squad on Monday.

Depay was a £25m signing from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, but has started only one of the last five games for United - in the Capital One Cup shoot-out defeat by Middlesbrough.

It was also revealed on Monday that Depay had been axed by Danny Blind, with the Netherlands coach stating that "you must also function in a team - and he doesn't always do that". 

However, the United manager provided some comfort for his star player by stating he would bounce back from his latest disappointment.

Speaking ahead of United's Champions League match against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, Van Gaal said: "I have said [Depay] is the greatest talent of his age.

Team player?

Netherlands axe Memphis Depay because of "issues"

"But he is also only 21 and that is also an age you cannot expect consistency. He is also in a phase of his career where he has to adapt to many things, so I have expected this.

"But I am convinced he is coming back, maybe stronger than before. But we have to give him time, like Anthony Martial.

"But maybe Martial will continue scoring goals and help us to win matches, but I expect him to also have a dip in form."

Depay has struggled to cement his place in the United side this season, with Van Gaal previously stating he needs to embrace his side's philosophy.

And it would seem Netherlands coach Blind agrees with the United manager, after dropping Depay from the Dutch squad to play friendlies against Wales and Germany later this month.

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"I think Depay is a player for the future," said Blind. "But there are other issues we'll look at - maybe Louis van Gaal has also mentioned that.

"In football, you must also function in a team - and he doesn't always do that. I told him that when I called him to say he wasn't in the squad. It's something he has to learn."

Former United striker Robin van Persie was also left out of the squad as the Dutch look to the future having not qualified for the European Championships in France next summer.