Depay dropped after asking Mourinho for January transfer

Jose Mourinho revealed Friday he decided to exclude Memphis Depay from the majority of Manchester United's matchday activities because the Dutchman is no longer committed to the club.

Starting just a single match all season, Depay made clear to the manager two months ago that he would like to start fresh elsewhere in January. Roma and Everton are possible destinations for the ostracised 22-year-old, but it remains to be seen whether a suitable offer will arrive next month.

"In the past couple of months, my decisions in relation to Memphis were influenced by the feelings and information that he would like to leave in January and that we were going to have a real offer that we would be willing to accept," the Portuguese said, according to ESPN FC's Mark Ogden. "That obviously influences me.

"We had this conversation with a few players and we felt things very, very clear. If I know, if I have the feeling that a player is leaving, I have to give chances to and develop other players.

"So then I go to (Jesse) Lingard, (Henrikh) Mkhitaryan, (Anthony) Martial, the players I know 100 percent are going to stay with us."

Yannick Bolasie's long-term knee injury has created a vacancy on Everton's left wing, prompting reports that the Merseyside outfit and United had opened negotiations over Depay.

A loan deal isn't possible. Mourinho said he will only allow third-choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to join another team on a temporary basis, considering his slim chance of getting any game time.

Mourinho won't stand in the way of anyone who wants to leave United, although he's not feeling charitable enough to simply give away players on the cheap.

And if nothing happens, the manager is content to keep misfits like Depay and try to make them happy.

At least until the end of the season.

"I will help him and he will be useful for us," he said.

The former PSV winger hasn't made an appearance since a Europa League clash Nov. 24 against Feyenoord.