Ryan Giggs seeks to help Memphis Depay as Louis van Gaal fears Manchester United winger could flop like Angel Di Maria

Manchester United winger Memphis Depay has been receiving help from club legend Ryan Giggs to overcome a poor start to his Old Trafford career and avoid a repeat of Angel Di Maria's unhappy stay in England.

The form of Depay, a £25million signing from PSV in the summer, has been a matter of concern for manager Louis van Gaal and the 21-year-old was involved in a training ground bust-up with Robin van Persie during Holland's recent Euro 2016 exit.

Giggs was renowned as a world-class winger during his playing career and now has an important role to play as van Gaal's assistant, with the manager insisting Depay has to be coached into playing within a team structure.

Manchester United winger Memphis Depay has endured a poor start to his Old Trafford career

Manchester United winger Memphis Depay has endured a poor start to his Old Trafford career

Form of Depay has been a matter of concern for Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

Form of Depay has been a matter of concern for Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

'Ryan can give advice, he has already given advice to Memphis. He was one of the best left-footed wingers in the history of Manchester United and the world and I think he can always be an influence, even though Memphis is right-footed so it is slightly different.

'But the player is also responsible for his own deeds. You have to give that respect to the identity of the team. Some players can not adapt to the team philosophy and you can not know that in advance.

'You can see a lot of qualities in a player but he has to put that quality into the service of the team. That also happened with Angel Di Maria and Falcao, great players but you have to fit in the philosophy.

'We have to wait and see with Memphis also, with every player we bought.

'I still believe in him. Why not? The problem with young players is that they are not consistent. We have to give him time for that.'

Depay scored twice in 3-1 win over Club Bruges in Champions League but has since struggled for form

Depay scored twice in 3-1 win over Club Bruges in Champions League but has since struggled for form

The 21-year-old was involved in a bust-up with Robin van Persie during Holland's recent Euro 2016 exit

The 21-year-old was involved in a bust-up with Robin van Persie during Holland's recent Euro 2016 exit

Van Gaal stayed tight-lipped over reports of Depay's row with van Persie but the comparison with Di Maria could be viewed as a challenge to the Dutch youngster.

Di Maria was signed for a Premier League transfer record of £59.7million in 2014 but was sold to Paris St Germain at a £15million loss after only 12 months having failed to settle in England on and off the pitch.

Depay may have an important part to play when United travel to Moscow, scene of their 2008 Champions League final triumph against Chelsea, to face CSKA in this season's competition.

Personally, van Gaal rates a Premier League success as more desirable than winning in Europe, because he's already got a Champions League crown under his belt, with Ajax.

Angel Di Maria was sold to Paris St Germain having failed to settle in England on and off the pitch

Angel Di Maria was sold to Paris St Germain having failed to settle in England on and off the pitch

Yet progress from the group is essential to United's ambitions of restoring their reputation as a world force.

The 2008 team had a front-three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney supported by other stars like Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes.

Van Gaal admits the current team don't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath yet.

'I'm only talking facts, not dreaming,' he added. 'I am working in a process, maybe when we are in the final, we can talk about it.

'But you also need luck in the Champions League. Ronaldo in 2008 was not as good as he is now, but it doesn't mean he is winning the Champions League every year now.' 

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