At present in the Football Transfer Tavern, it’s currently Liverpool 5 Manchester United 1 in regards to new arrivals this summer.
The Red Devils’ arch rivals have already brought in James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino while Louis van Gaal has only made the solitary signing of Memphis Depay so far this summer.
However, our resident United fans are reminding everybody that in this case, quality over quantity should be taken into account with Depay being rightly recognised as one of the most exciting young talents to emerge from Europe in years.
Having already experienced his first World Cup, the 21-year-old is arriving in English football with quite a reputation already despite his slender age.
Orchestrating a first Eredivisie title triumph for PSV Eindhoven since the 2007/08 season last term, Depay got his hands on the second trophy of his career after winning the KNVB Cup back in 2011/12 and he’ll hope this positive trend continues at Old Trafford.
While every transfer represents something of a gamble, the consensus here in the tavern is that United have signed a star in Depay and that’s why today, United fans have listed five reasons why their new Dutch arrival will excel in his time spent in Manchester.
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Click on the image below to reveal the 5 reasons why Memphis Depay will excel at Manchester United.
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An impressive goal haul
In order to win any league title, goals a lot of them is a must and the good news for United fans is that Depay has grown more and more clinical in front of goal.
Seemingly able to reduce the goalscoring burden off the likes of Wayne Rooney, after leaving the Eredivisie, Depay’s goalscoring record in the Dutch top flight stood at 39 goals in 90 overall appearances – not bad for a youngster who isn’t an out-and-out frontman.
This record equates to a goal every 2.3 games and when looking at his stats on a season-by-season basis, Depay averaged 5.1 shots a game in the 2013/14 campaign and this rose to 5.5 shots last season.
Displaying a kind of selfishness in front of goal which they say all the greatest forwards possess, these stats make for good reading for Red Devils fans.
Some will of course claim that this is all well and good in an inferior division such as the Eredivisie is but winning the Golden Boot (22 strikes last term) in any European league should make people sit up and take notice.
Mr versatile
Given the fact Louis van Gaal sampled more formational changes than hot dinners last season, the jury is still very much out on where Memphis Depay will perform for Manchester United next term.
That said, given the Dutch international’s versatility, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Depay’s strongest position is when he is deployed as a left winger, able to cut inside on his right foot while striking with his lethal shooting ability.
During last summer’s World Cup, Depay was deployed in this position from the bench to great effect, striking against both Australia and Chile in the group stages.
Depay isn’t a one trick pony in any regard however and is equally adept at playing at right wing – after all, he’s right footed – not to mention performing in the false nine position.
Many have compared him to Cristiano Ronaldo in his fledgling career so far and if Depay ends up scoring as many as the Portuguese did in his time at Old Trafford, perhaps he will receive more chances as a centre forward as the seasons progress.
Confidence and self assuredness in abundance
Ever since his breakthrough campaign of 2013/14, Memphis Depay’s temperament has been a subject that has never been too far away from the headlines.
Boasting something of a selfish streak in his game with his shots per game ratio increasing on a season-by-season basis, this once proved a problem in his earlier days at PSV Eindhoven.
Former PSV player Rene van der Gijp once claimed: “From kickoff, he runs everywhere except in his own position! He gets in everyone else’s way. I would tell him his first responsibility is to his own position. The system you play needs order.”
“There is no one at PSV who tells him: do things normally. Actually PSV lack someone like Rinus Michels (former Holland coach), who would give him a clip around the ear so he remembers where he is.”
It is clear that Depay is a player of the confident variety with self assuredness in abundance and although this is often looked on in a negative light, there are definitely positives too with this kind of attitude surely required in such expectant surroundings like Old Trafford.
Under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal who has already managed him with the Netherlands of course, you’d expect Depay to develop fully in order to fulfil his potential.
Free kick specialist
Manchester United have grown used to a free kick specialist or two at Old Trafford down the years; just look at David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo for starters.
The good news for them is that United will have a new weapon in their armoury for next season given Depay is also something of a specialist from dead ball situations.
Depay showcased his free-kick prowess in PSV Eindhoven’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Heerenveen back in April and this was the game that confirmed the Philips Stadion side were champions once again showing the Dutch international can handle the pressure.
Thus far in his career, it seems that no matter the distance, Depay is willing to fancy his chances at grabbing a goal from free kicks so United fans can expect to look forward to some crackers next season.
Familiar faces in toe
Whenever a young player joins a new club and a team of the stature of Manchester United, sometimes it can be hard to settle in.
Fortunately enough for Depay, there is a growing Dutch influence at Old Trafford with Louis van Gaal in charge, not to mention fellow Dutch internationals Robin van Persie and Daley Blind being on the playing staff.
Familiar faces from the international set-up, having these folks around will naturally have a positive influence on Depay whose link up play with a rejuvenated van Persie is something Red Devils fans are particularly looking forward to next season.
Manchester United fans are now just waiting patiently to see who else Louis van Gaal will be turning to in this summer’s transfer market.
