Louis van Gaal has told the press that Manchester United need to sign “creative, speedy players in attack” in the January transfer window.

This could come as a hammer blow to Memphis Depay, who has been cast aside in recent weeks by his compatriot.

It seems as though Van Gaal has decided that Depay does not fit into his system – he has been dropped in favour of playing Anthony Martial on the left-wing, with Juan Mata operating on the right.

Martial is not a natural left-winger, and choosing him over Depay could suggest that Van Gaal has had enough of the Dutch winger.

This may be the case, given Depay’s last appearance was in the Old Trafford club’s staggering 3-0 collapse away from home against Arsenal.

Given Van Gaal is a systems based manager, preferring tactical understanding over individual brilliance, Depay, gifted and talented on the ball, would not get as much credit as with other bosses.

On Sunday, with Man Utd seeking a winner against Manchester City, Van Gaal put Jesse Lingard on rather than the former PSV Eindhoven man.

That would mean that Depay has been relegated to third choice left-winger.

It would also suggest that if Man Utd do sign “creative, speedy players” for their attack in January, it would only increase the competition for Depay.

Van Gaal has previous – while in charge of Barcelona, he dropped and then got rid of Rivaldo.

Even during his time at Old Trafford, he spent big money on Angel Di Maria, a player who barely featured after January.

This could all be taken as a worrying sign by Depay, who may start wondering where he will fit in after January.

Former Holland international Jan Mulder has declared that long term Manchester United target Memphis Depay is likely to force a move away from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, as reported by the Daily Star.

This will come as a boost to the Old Trafford club, who have been keeping an eye on the talented winger since his excellent displays for Louis van Gaal’s Dutch national side during the summer World Cup.

Mulder believes that Depay has to seize the opportunity and make the switch.

He has admitted that, for the majority of players, the ultimate goal is earning considerable amounts of money from playing football – something that is more difficult to do in the less economically powerful Dutch football leagues.

Mulder said: “You know what I think? The ultimate objective and the dream of a player is not the Dutch national team, but the big money.

“And they don’t even have to apologise for that.

“I don’t know how I would fare if I could have earned so much money. I would have been susceptible to that too I guess.

“If you have set yourself up for the rest of your life with just a signature, as Depay will soon, then you think that, even if subconsciously, I think.”

Man Utd have been struck by several injury hammer blows in recent days, with key first team players David De Gea and Daley Blind both ruled out for their upcoming clash with Arsenal.