When Memphis Depay signed for Manchester United from PSV for £25m in 2015, they thought they were capturing one of the hottest properties in Europe.

It's safe to say that, for one reason or another, that isn't exactly what they got.

Depay was largely disapointing during his 18-month stay at Old Trafford, scoring just twice in 33 outings in the Premier League.

Having been signed and persisted with by Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho quickly decided he wasn't good enough when he took over in 2016.

In fact, he played just eight games under the Portuguese before being sold to Lyon in January last year, for a fee which could rise to £22m.

Inexplicably, Depay has hit the ground running in France, showing no signs of the distinct lack of form that plagued him for United.

The Dutchman has nine goals and six assists in 27 Ligue 1 matches, adding a further three of each in the Europa League.

So it begs the question; what went so badly wrong for him in England?

Well, the man himself thinks he knows what was behind his bad spell.

And he's putting it down to the fact that he was simply unhappy settling in the north west of England.

Depay has remarkably kept entire confidence in his ability though, and claims he still has the quality to be the best player in the world.

"I know how it works in football," he started. "I'm the one who gets all the punches. 'Memphis is crazy', 'Memphis does this...'

"I cannot be anyone else but Memphis. I tried that, and I was not happy with myself. Back in Manchester, I was not happy with myself.

"How can I be a great football player when you're not happy with yourself? I looked in the mirror and I was not happy, I was sad. Now I'm happy to be myself.

"Honestly, in terms of quality... nothing [is lacking to be the best in the world]. I'm not arrogant but I need to be more consistent perhaps."

Depay does have a point in some respects, as it is clearly harder to focus on doing your job if you're not happy off the field.

However, if he was as good as he thinks he is, surely we would've seen some of his quality in the Premier League, rather than shining solely in France.

If he does continue at this rate though, maybe there'll be another English side willing to give him another chance over here.