Manchester United have buy-back options on former players Memphis Depay and Adnan Januzaj. Both players left Manchester United on permanent deals away from the club in 2017. Yet, it has been revealed Manchester United have the option to bring the pair back to Old Trafford in the future.
Memphis Depay and Adnan Januzaj
Memphis Depay left Manchester United in January 2017 after falling out of favour with Jose Mourinho. His departure came six months before Januzaj left the club on a permanent deal sending him to Real Sociedad.
Januzaj had already been out of the Manchester United first-team picture, however. The Belgian had spent two seasons away on loan at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland, respectively, before being sold to Real Sociedad.
Both forwards have gone on to excel for their current clubs. Depay scored 22 goals in 51 games for Lyon last term, while Januzaj scored three goals and recorded five assists in Spain.
Januzaj’s form for Real Sociedad influenced Belgium national team coach Roberto Martinez to recall the player to the side for the World Cup. The forward has played twice and scored one goal at this summer’s tournament.
Due to his form at the tournament, the Manchester Evening News recently reminded Manchester United fans that the player, along with Depay, has a buy-back clause in his current Real Sociedad contract.
When asked about Depay’s contract stipulation previously, Mourinho spoke about the player needing to grow. It is assumed the manager feels the same way about Januzaj
“Because potentially he’s a very good player,” Mourinho explained. “Think when Mr. Van Gaal decided to buy him he did well, he knew him very well from the national team, he was very young when at the World Cup he had flashes of top quality.
“He was playing well in Holland, we know the Dutch league is not the same but he was showing very good things. So I think Mr. Van Gaal and Manchester United did very well to buy him.
“He didn’t succeed in his 18 months but he’s very young so I think it’s important for the club to complete control of this talent and we all wish he plays very, very well at Lyon and why not to come back because everyone here likes him.”