Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Memphis Depay and Isco Rumours

Memphis Depay doesn't want to stay on the bench at Manchester United, with the winger unhappy about his lack of playing time since joining the club over a year ago. His words come amid recent reports indicating Italian interest in the Netherlands international.

Speaking to Dutch source Metro Nieuws (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), Depay stated how he's currently happy with life under Mourinho: "The feeling is different [than under Van Gaal]. Mourinho has expressed his confidence in me both personally and in the press."

Yet the 22-year-old also indicated he wants more than a mere squad role: "A supporting role is not for me. I’m not a player who is happy with the fact that he Is under contract with Manchester United. This is my dream club, but I want to play."

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Depay's declaration he wants more is understandable after he's made just 16 starts in the Premier League since joining the club in 2015, per Bellshaw. However, the inconsistent wide forward has done little to merit greater playing time.

He initially moved to Old Trafford in a deal worth £31 million, per BBC Sport, after some exceptional performances for the Netherlands at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Depay also performed well at club level, helping PSV secure the Eredivisie title ahead of Ajax after the 2014/15 season.

He hasn't replicated any of the same form in England's top flight, though. Depay managed a mere five goals in league and European competition during his debut season with the Red Devils, according to WhoScored.com.

But it isn't just meagre numbers condemning Depay to the bench. A general inability to influence matches, strike fear into defenders and combine well in the final third make him too hit-and-miss to start.

Mourinho has publicly expressed understanding, offering sympathy when he chose to leave Depay, among others, out of the squad altogether for a win over Southampton in August, per Jack Otway of the Daily Express.

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At some point, sympathy has to run short. At some point, United would be wiser to simply admit things haven't worked out and cash in on one of their most disappointing recent investments.

Italian source Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Anthony Jepson of the Manchester Evening News) recently reported how Serie A side AC Milan are willing to pay £25 million to hand Depay a fresh start.

It would surely be an offer too good to refuse for Mourinho and United.

Isco's Real Madrid Future in Doubt

Mooted United targeting Isco's club future currently seems up in the air. The 24-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder is uncertain whether La Liga giants Real Madrid want to extend his stay or not.

He made the uncertainty clear during a recent interview with Hugo Cerezo and Marc Mayo of Spanish outlet Marca (h/t Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star): "It seems a little weird [that Real haven't spoken about it yet], but I can't do anything. If they don't want me to renew, I won't go asking for it. It's something for the club to decide, not me."

Isco's confusion about Real's intentions might interest United since the Old Trafford club was recently linked with the one-time Malaga ace. The Daily Mirror's Adrian Kajumba reported how Mourinho is considering making a January bid for the playmaker who combines technical acumen and intelligence with a keen eye for goal.

Isco's a major talent, even if Los Blancos manager Zinedine Zidane doesn't always seem to have faith in him. Still, it's not clear he'd fit seamlessly into a United squad with more than one creative talent in advanced midfield areas.

Fellow Spaniard Juan Mata is a key figure, although Mourinho is never afraid to drop him. There's also versatile youngster Jesse Lingard, who has started United's last two matches in England's top flight. Lingard's development has even led to a senior international cap, per Mark Crellin of Sky Sports.

Mourinho is also still waiting for Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan to stay fit and deliver after sealing a four-year deal to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Mourinho is still shaping his squad, but his task seems to be more about trimming the ranks rather than bloating them. It should rule a deal for Isco out but increase the doubts about Depay's future in Manchester.