Football
Associated Press 8y

Manchester United's Memphis Depay left out of Netherlands squad

Manchester United attacker Memphis Depay has been left out of Netherlands' squad for a friendly against Greece followed by the World Cup qualifier against Sweden.

Veteran strikers Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of Schalke and Robin van Persie of Fenerbahce were also omitted from coach Danny Blind's 24-man party, while 21-year-old PSV Eindhoven midfielder Jorrit Hendrix earns his first international call-up.

Blind has opted for youth over experience ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, but that policy did not help 22-year-old Depay, who has struggled for form since moving from PSV Eindhoven to Old Trafford last year.

"It's important for him to first focus fully on getting into the first team at Manchester United," Blind said. "From there, he needs to play more and hopefully he will then put himself back in the picture."

Tottenham striker Vincent Janssen will look to continue his impressive international form -- the former AZ Alkaar star has three goals in five matches since making his international debut in March against England at Wembley.

Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the European Championship, take on Greece on Sept. 1 in Eindhoven, and play their first Group A qualifier against Sweden in Solna on Sept. 6.

Full Netherlands squad:

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona), Maarten Stekelenburg (Everton), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven).

Defenders: Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jeffrey Bruma(Wolfsburg), Virgil van Dijk (Southampton), Kenny Tete (Ajax), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (AZ Alkmaar), Jetro Willems (PSV).

Midfielders: Riechedly Bazoer (Ajax), Jorrit Hendrix (PSV), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Davy Proepper (PSV), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Kevin Strootman (Roma), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool).

Forwards: Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord), Bas Dost (Wolfsburg), Vincent Janssen (Tottenham Hotspur), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Luciano Narsingh(PSV), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow).

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