#Former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay has claimed he is now a better player after leaving the club to join Lyon.
Depay made his first return to the City of Manchester, 20 months after leaving the Red Devils, ahead of the Wednesday 19th Champions League opener against Manchester City.
“It’s the first time I’ve come back to Manchester after I left,” he told a news conference on Tuesday. “That feels special and I’m happy to come back here and play against Man City.
“I have been improving a lot, not only on the pitch but off as a person. I’ve become more mature. You go through experiences in life on and off the pitch. When I came back today I felt like a different person.
“Everybody knows the story of me and Manchester United was not successful. I’m just happy that I’m the player I am today. I can look back and say I didn’t want it to go like that — nobody did — but things happened. I became a much better player.
“I can feel it in games and everyone can see it. For sure, the city is still red and we will try to get a good result against the Blues.”