The sports world has been reflecting on the huge news that the highly sought after young Dutch star Memphis Depay has agreed to join Manchester United at the end of the season, subject to him completing a medical. The 21 year old was ostensibly wanted by many of the leading clubs in the world, but the allure of Manchester United proved too good to turn down.
Having scored 27 goals in 38 appearances for his club PSV, so far this season, he’s top of the Dutch league scoring charts, even though he’s not a number 9. And his goal scoring prowess will have Manchester United fans purring with delight ahead of next season.
ManUtd.com said of the move:
Manchester United has reached agreement with PSV Eindhoven and Memphis Depay for the player’s transfer, subject to a medical, once the transfer window opens in June.
And the player himself said of the impending deal:
“It was an exciting and pretty hectic period, and to have a choice between so many top clubs doesn’t make it any easier,” Depay said.
“For me, Manchester United is an absolute dream club, so I didn’t need any convincing of the guys who already play at Manchester United.
“They told me only positive things though, and I’m looking forward to playing with my Dutch teammates next to all the other great players of Manchester United. And working with manager Louis van Gaal again is also a big bonus.”
Ex-Manchester United legend Jaap Stam said:
“He’s a quality player,” Stam told MUTV and ManUtd.com during an exclusive interview in Amsterdam on Thursday, just an hour or so after the transfer news broke.
“United always want to attack and the club always has an interest in players that have a lot of pace and who can also play the one-vs-ones and create something or score goals. Memphis is that type of player.
“He doesn’t pay a lot of attention to what people say in the press, he does his own thing and is very focused on his own thing. Of course, he is a team player and that’s what you need to be at United, but he has his own qualities and he knows that.
“He’s proven that in Holland for a couple of seasons now and also with the national team and I think it’s a good step for him to join United now, and also work with Louis van Gaal because he knows him very well of course.”
Fellow countrymen and ex-Wigan man, Arjan de Zeeuw told The BBC:
“We all know Depay was one of the players who stood out at the World Cup when Van Gaal was in charge of the Dutch national team. People regard him as a little bit arrogant, a little bit cocky, but I think he is a very good player, a very promising player, a very strong, very quick player and he’s got some skill. People expect him to be the best player on the pitch every week, so you have to have a bit of self-belief to achieve that. I think he’ll do well for Manchester United.”
And, as you might imagine, Twitter went absolutely crazy when the news broke on Thursday afternoon, with fellow Dutchman, Kevin Strootman saying ‘Good luck at your new club….you really deserve it’
Let’s take a look at the wonderful youngster in action for PSV this season. With so many goals to his name, as well as the wide variety of others skills that this lad has, comparisons are bound to be drawn with another of Manchester United’s greatest ever forwards – Cristiano Ronaldo.
