Memphis Depay will be a star, but he’s not ready to be Manchester United’s talisman yet
After Memphis Depay runs out at Old Trafford for Manchester United in mid-week for the return leg against Brugge, expectations will be lifted. After a dazzling display on the left-wing in a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in midweek and a decent performance in a 0-0 draw against Newcastle, already there’s plenty […]
After Memphis Depay runs out at Old Trafford for Manchester United in mid-week for the return leg against Brugge, expectations will be lifted.
After a dazzling display on the left-wing in a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in midweek and a decent performance in a 0-0 draw against Newcastle, already there’s plenty of chatter about the Dutchman. Roaring down the wing, wearing that iconic No. 7 jersey, having 76,000 supporters bewitched by his every move; perhaps it’s little surprise he’s already being mentioned in the same breath as players such as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
It’s a lot of pressure for the young man and against Newcastle United in United’s third Premier League match of the season, Depay added a breath of fresh air to the Red Devils team which has been functional rather than fluid in their attacking forays. Some are already tipping him to take this unforgiving division by the scruff of the neck and propel United to remarkable things.
But he’s not quite ready yet.
SEE MORE: Manchester United must be patient with Memphis Depay’s precocious talent.
Granted, early signs from the Dutch international have been hugely promising. Not only does Depay possess the raw speed, trickery and eye for goal that are requisites for the modern day winger, but there are encouraging intangibles which set him apart from the pack.
Attributes like his intelligent positioning on the flank; maintaining width patiently while others would float infield and prematurely clutter the pitch. The timing of Depay’s surges, whether inside off the flanks or on the shoulder of the last defender when the game gets stretched, as we were witness to against Villa, are also immaculate.
Everything is in place for the youngster to go on and become a world-class talent. It’s rare we see a young forward who amalgamates the physical and mental sides of the game quite so well. But any temptations to pin massive hopes of Depay’s talent should be kept at bay for the time being.
And the prospect of giving the Netherlands star a role of major significance will be tantalizing. After all, Depay’s fine brace and sumptuous assist against Brugge suggested had had arrived in earnest as a United player. To do so in the club’s iconic No. 7 shirt, would have surely prompted an upturn in that jersey’s sale this week.
In addition, United do seem a little light on options in the attacking facet of their team. Having missed out on Pedro and given they are likely to rebuffed in their endeavors to sign surprise target Sadio Mane from Southampton, it’ll be intriguing to see quite where Louis van Gaal turns next as he seeks to spruce up his attacking options.
If the current squad remains in situ, it means that responsibility may well be thrust onto Depay. That’ll be a minor concern to those who watched the Dutchman regularly at the Philips Stadion last season.
Yes the winger was imperative in PSV capturing a surprise Eredivisie title, but there are still abrasive edges in his game which need to be smoothed down. It was assumed, as such, that amidst another summer of major investment, that the winger wouldn’t play quite a critical role for the Red Devils as he has been doing so far.
There are still question marks on how to get the very best from the 21-year-old too. He looks most at home on the left flank, where he was stationed against Brugge and for PSV’s title-winning season, but for the majority of pre-season Van Gaal deployed him as a No. 10; we’ll have to wait and see whether that particular venture has been shelved.
Even in his masterclass against Brugge, capriciousness found its way into his game. Depay spurned a tremendous chance to grab a hat-trick on his European debut for the club and Van Gaal admitted in the aftermath that despite his haul of two goals and one assist, not getting the treble did disappoint the player.
It’s that kind of insatiable determination which will see Depay eventually scale remarkable summits in the game. But leading a United title tilt in the 2015-16 season? Not yet.
One day he will be ready. Depay’s eagerness to take the No. 7 shirt, which is steeped in a history of Red Devils icons but most recently, players like Antonio Valencia and Angel Di Maria who struggled to cope with its weight, is emblematic of a man who has a bullish aura.
After playing in a World Cup and winning the league with PSV, this is a player who has matured immensely over the last 12 months. Playing for one of the biggest football teams in the world under an illustrious manager will only serve to expedite those kinds of instinctive processes too.
So expect him to continue playing a scintillating and significant role in the Red Devils’ season, but for performance levels, maybe as early as the upcoming clash against Swansea next Sunday, to oscillate. When they do, the Brugge display isn’t the standard Depay should be held to, but a teaser of the world-class talent which eventually be unleashed on a consistent basis.
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