Memphis Depay back in the North West for first time since ill-fated spell at Manchester United as Lyon play Everton in the Europa League

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Those who remember Memphis Depay's underwhelming 18 months at Manchester United may have rolled their eyes at the Dutchman's pronouncement this week that playing for Real Madrid is a 'serious goal'.

On Thursday night, Depay returns to the north west of England for the first time since being shown the door by Jose Mourinho, when his current French club Lyon face Everton in the Europa League.

Goals against Rennes, Apollon Limassol and Angers this season have clearly boosted his self-belief but there will be plenty of sceptics monitoring his performance at Goodison to see if he's changed from the winger who badly flattered to deceive at Old Trafford.

Memphis Depay is back in England's north-west for the first time since his ill-fated spell with Manchester United as his Lyon side play Everton in the UEFA Europa League

Lyon trained at Goodison Park on Wednesday ahead of their Europa League clash with Everton

The winger pictured in action for Lyon during their weekend league meeting with Monaco

The excitement when he signed for United in the summer of 2015 was palpable. He'd been just 20 when he helped Holland reach the semi-finals of the World Cup under Louis van Gaal, his new boss at United.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said the new arrival was regarded as 'one of the most exciting young players in Europe'. Club legend Gary Neville welcomed him by saying: 'I am excited as United fans.'

But Depay never made it at United, despite being given the iconic No 7 shirt worn by Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. Seven goals in 53 matches was a poor return for someone noted for his goalscoring in the Dutch League with PSV.

Significantly, he made only 16 Premier League starts in a season-and-a-half under Van Gaal and Mourinho before being sold to Lyon in this year's January transfer window.

There was great excitement when Louis van Gaal signed Depay from PSV Eindhoven in 2015

The Dutchman had a reputation for enjoying bling and fast cars - and not without good cause

Depay was handed the United No 7 shirt as worn by George Best, Eric Cantona and other icons

His attitude seemed to be more bling than batten down the hatches. He drove to training and reserve games in a Rolls Royce whilst struggling to establish himself as a top player. During games he infuriated managers by not doing the tracking back and ugly side of the game.

It went wrong early on. During his first pre-season tour of America, he appeared to outsiders to be a bit aloof and arrogant, as if he'd already made it.

Despite a brace in a Champions League play-off against Bruges, he didn't find the net in the Premier League until the end of September against Sunderland. A seminal moment came in October when United conceded three goals in the opening 20 minutes against Arsenal and Depay was hauled off for Marouane Fellaini at half-time.

He rarely if ever regained Van Gaal's confidence. The United manager blamed him for giving the ball away cheaply to give Chelsea a late equaliser at Stamford Bridge. 'You have to keep the ball and be composed,' he said.

Depay fires home a goal during United's Champions League qualifier with Club Bruges in 2015

But Depay never managed to establish himself at Old Trafford and was sold back in January

In Holland, Depay had been noted for his top speed, intelligent movement and ability at set pieces. At United, you rarely saw any of them, as he failed to fit in with the possession-based philosophy from the manager.

When United won the FA Cup against Crystal Palace in Van Gaal's swansong, he wasn't even on the bench.

The newly-arrived Mourinho tried to talk up Depay, saying he'd noted his performances at the World Cup. But the reality is United were just fattening him up for a bigger transfer fee. He played just eight minutes in his final two months at the club before Lyon stepped in.

Depay has enjoyed his spell out of the fierce scrutiny at Old Trafford. 'Lyon is comparable to PSV in terms of the family atmosphere. I am very happy,' he says.

Being a big fish in a smaller pool – though Lyon also have other familiar Premier League names Rafael, Bertrand Traore and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – has suited Depay.

Depay often cut a dejected figure at United after a succession of sub-standard performances

Jose Mourinho talked up Depay but it was only to secure a higher transfer fee for him

Last season, he scored from the halfway line against Toulouse. It is doubtful he would have had the confidence to even attempt it during his time at United. Unfortunately, he was denied a reunion against his former club when Lyon lost out to Ajax in the Europa League semi-finals.

Earlier this month, Depay scored for Holland against Belarus and his form at international level has improved despite his country's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

He has been in decent nick for Lyon as well, though linking himself with Real Madrid still suggests a player with delusions about his own value. In his club's last league game, a 3-2 win against Monaco, he started on the bench before coming on for Traore after an hour.

'My experience at United made me grow up and is useful to me today,' is his assertion. Fans at Goodison Park will shortly be able to judge that for themselves.