Robben: Depay Must Be Strong

Netherlands captain Arjen Robben says Memphis Depay must show strength to cope with his "difficult situation" at Manchester United.

The £25m summer signing has failed to start a Premier League game since United's 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on October 4 and this week hit back at questions over his attitude.

Depay said he is "working hard" to win back the first-team place he has lost to youth-team product Jesse Lingard at Old Trafford.

Netherlands head coach Danny Blind was quoted as saying that Depay was not a team player when he was originally left out of Friday's friendly against Wales, but the 21-year-old winger was later re-instated to the squad for the Cardiff game.

"Of course I will give him advice," Bayern Munich star Robben said about Depay. "We try to help each other as players and the team to make steps.

"He is a talented player in a difficult situation - I can give him advice but the player has to cope with it, show strength and the right mentality. It is important in your development as a player. It is not always sunshine and you have difficult periods, especially when you are young.

"He has a long way ahead and if he shows the right mentality, the talent is there. If he keeps working hard I am sure he can succeed."

Credit: Skysports.com