Report: Everton exploring loan capture of United outcast Depay
Ronald Koeman is prepared to pick at the Manchester United scrap heap in January for forgotten winger Memphis Depay.
The Liverpool Echo's Greg O'Keeffe reports that the Dutch manager is willing to give Depay, 22, a second chance in English football in a loan deal at Everton, reuniting the pair from when he used to terrorise Koeman's Feyenoord defence for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie.
It would also reignite an interest the Toffees' overseer had in Depay while in charge of Southampton, but this time around he could face considerable competition from Serie A title chaser AS Roma, and English teams habitually finishing in the Premier League's top six.
The signing of Yannick Bolasie last summer helped address some issues on the flanks that Koeman encountered upon succeeding Roberto Martinez, but the heavy squad rotation involving Gerard Deulofeu, Aaron Lennon, and Kevin Mirallas would indicate he hasn't settled on how to balance out his midfield on the other wing.
Depay cost United £25 million in June 2015, but hasn't won the trust of Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford - the combative Portuguese who took the helm this summer. He was apparently being watched by Koeman for his 23-minute substitute appearance for the Netherlands on Wednesday - an outing which embarrassingly eclipsed his Premier League game-time so far this term.
Related: Depay's 23 minutes for Netherlands beats season total in Premier League
Depay would expect more opportunities on Merseyside under Koeman - certainly more than the 55 minutes against third-tier Northampton Town, which makes up his only start this season.
United is believed to be willing to let the youngster leave, perhaps part of the reported wholesale changes Mourinho is trying to implement at the club.