Sport
Depay shows why it is too early to write him off
Depay shows why it is too early to write him off. A string of injuries is often spoken of as a crisis, but Manchester United’s spate of absences ahead of Saturday’s clash with Watford would have been viewed as an excellent opportunity by Memphis Depay.
The Netherlands international has struggled since moving to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in the summer. A brace against Club Brugge in the first leg of United’s Champions League play-off in August hinted at good things to come, but Depay failed to build on his promising start and was recently dropped in favour of Jesse Lingard, with manager Louis van Gaal admitting that he was expecting more when he signed his countryman for around £25m.
While Depay had certainly been far from his best in the Red Devils’ opening 12 games of the top-flight campaign, it was far too early to write him off, something he proved on Saturday with a fine display in the 2-1 win at Vicarage Road.
With Anthony Martial picking up a knock in France’s friendly with England, Wayne Rooney missing through illness and James Wilson short of match fitness, Depay was deployed up front by Van Gaal. Lingard was also used in an advanced role, with United taking to the field in a 4-2-2-2 formation: Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger sat deepest in midfield, with Juan Mata and Ander Herrera slightly further forward behind Lingard and Depay.
The approach worked extremely well in the opening 25 minutes, with United dominating proceedings and taking the lead through Depay. It was a lovely cushioned finish from the Dutchman, who steered Herrera’s cross into the roof of the net with a composed, controlled volley.
There were plenty of other positives in Depay’s all-round performance. He made a number of important runs in behind, helping to stretch the play vertically and make the hosts’ backline wary of pushing too high up the pitch; while he was occasionally guilty of holding onto the ball for too long, there were numerous signs that his confidence had returned.
“The first half he was superb, like Jesse Lingard,” Van Gaal told BT Sport when asked about Depay’s display. “I think also this role is the best role for him. He played it also in the world championship for me when Robin van Persie or Arjen Robben was injured, so I knew that he could do this.”
It will be interesting to see if the 64-year-old considers using Depay in the same position going forward. Martial has spent most of his United career out on the left and, with Rooney still some way short of his best form, there is a chance that the winger could come into contention for a regular spot up front. With Herrera withdrawn through injury on Saturday and Michael Carrick also currently sidelined, Van Gaal could even pull Rooney back into more of a No. 10 position and hand Depay line-leading duties in advance of him.
The former PSV man has by no means set the world alight in the Premier League so far this term, but he remains an extremely gifted youngster who could become a real star at Old Trafford given time.
Even for players of Depay’s talent, moving to a new club in a new country is full of challenges that can take a while to negotiate. Still only 21, the best of United’s new No. 7 is yet to come.
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