If there was a difference between the sides on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, that you could put into two words, it would have to be ‘Eden Hazard’.
Manchester United dominated possession but that was, in part, down to the fact that Chelsea were protecting their lead for much of the game. They didn’t have to take any risks. Instead they defended manfully and weren’t particularly troubled in the second half.
And, for all their possession, Manchester United didn’t have a Hazard to break through a world class defence.
Angel di Maria was supposed to be that man – a player who, at £60m, could answer the call when Manchester United needed a breakthrough – a piece of individual magic – in the toughest games.
But it just hasn’t happened for the lad and, every time he has the ball, he seems to want to prove his worth by taking the entire opposition on.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Di Maria left this summer and Manchester United recruited their very own Eden Hazard in the shape of Memphis Depay.
In the clearest signal yet that Manchester United have made Depay their major summer transfer target, Sky Sports News reports:
Manchester United have made an enquiry over the availability of the PSV forward Memphis Depay.
“We have had a telephone call from them about him,” (PSV Technical Director, Marcel) Brands said on Dutch television.
“But no talks have been held yet. There are several top clubs who have expressed an interest.”
Depay has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United and The Daily Star reckons that talks have now opened between United and his club PSV.
We think that Depay is the best signing that Manchester United could make this summer – he’s got the close control and pace to waltz through the best defences and make a difference in these sorts of games. Because for all Manchester United’s quality on the ball, and for all the recent progress under Louis van Gaal, they don’t have that game changer that Chelsea possess for the biggest occasions. And we feel that Memphis Depay could well be the answer. He’s tailor made for The Premier League with his pace, power and guile. We very much hope that he comes to England.
