Fenerbahce manager Dick Advocaat has said that Memphis Depay is too good to sit on the Manchester United bench and believes the forward needs to leave Old Trafford in order to further his career.

Depay has been pushed to the periphery under Jose Mourinho, making just one start for United this season and a further six appearances from the bench.

And the Dutchman has now been excluded from Mourinho’s 21-man squad for the Europa League trip to Istanbul, despite the competition being a low priority for the club.

Advocaat, who handed Depay his senior debut for PSV Eindhoven in December 2012, has leapt to his fellow countryman’s defence.

“The potential is there for him to be a good player,” he said. “You cannot lose that, he has the quality to be a top player, but the problem for him is that there are so many quality players in that squad.

“So for himself it is important to start playing regularly at the age that he is at – otherwise the way, I think, is that maybe he has to find another solution [club] because he is too good to sit on the bench.

“I still believe in him, he has the right mentality, the right character to play for United, but there are so many options there. Regular playing time will help his progression.”

Phil Jones and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have both been included for United's squad, with Mourinho's side second in Group A, level on six points from three games with leaders Feyenoord, while Fenerbahce sit third with four points.

Depay's days at Old Trafford could be numbered (Getty)

Meanwhile, Advocaat also confirmed Robin van Persie is fit to face his former club on Thursday, despite being withdrawn in the 66th minute of his side’s win over Kardemir on Sunday.