Co Adriaanse Tells Memphis Depay He’s Not Usain Bolt

Co Adriaanse believes Memphis Depay needs to learn he’s a member of a team and not an individual like Usain Bolt.

The Dutch manager – who has had spells in charge of Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Porto in his career – has given his view on the Manchester United winger after a difficult few weeks.

According to reports earlier this month, United assistant manager Ryan Giggs was forced to have a word with Depay over his lifestyle at the club.

Then there was a fall-out between the former PSV man and Robin van Persie while both were on international duty with Holland last week.

Louis van Gaal followed that up by dropping Depay for the weekend’s 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Now Adriaanse has claimed Depay needs to smarten up, stop dressing up like a “Peruvian pan flute player” and realise he’s not Usain Bolt or Cristiano Ronaldo.

He told Studio Voetbal:

He needs to be corrected. He must realise that he is a member in a football team, that he is not just an individual – a 100 metre sprinter like Usain Bolt. He arrived as a Peruvian pan flute player at [Netherlands team hotel] Huis ter Duin. If you are a young boy and still have not done anything, do not play dress up as you report to the coach. Ronaldo does that, but at least he is proven. He does not even talk to the press, which he ignores. That cannot be the way. He represents us, the Dutch people. And we want to know what he thinks. He should always speak to them, and must be corrected.

Those are strong words from Adriaanse, but ones which no doubt come after seeing the Dutch national team – which Depay was part of – fail to qualify for Euro 2016.

Their defeat to Czech Republic last week ensured they won’t be part of the play-offs next month and Depay put in a disappointing performance throughout that game.