Manchester United beat off strong competition to sign the fleet-footed and explosive Memphis Depay this summer. We think that he will turn out to be a fantastic signing for a team which desperately lacks pace.
But a recent, insightful article in The Guardian suggests that, although he has just signed for Manchester United, that Old Trafford could be just part of his career plan. They wrote:
In an interview last year with Hart van Holland, his mother, when asked about her son’s aspirations, said: “He wants to play for Manchester United and then a club in Spain.”
Football is an ever more mercenary sport and long gone are the days when footballers would willingly play for nothing if it meant turning out for the club of their dreams.
But the sense with Depay was that he really saw Manchester United as a ‘dream’ club. On signing he said:
“This is a dream come true for me; to play for the biggest club in the world and also to have the chance to work with someone who I believe is the best manager in the world, Louis van Gaal,”
Of course the term is used far too frequently and easily in the modern game. Angel di Maria last year stated that:
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.”
Hmm. Really? Because after just one year and a fleeting glimpse of Moss Side, Angel di Maria currently appears to be one of the most likely departures from the squad this summer.
In reality the glamour and climate of Spain is usually too much for foreign players to resist. If Depay does progress well then Barcelona and Real Madrid will obviously take a look at him before long. And it may turn out to be a Ronaldo-esque move for Manchester United in terms of the money that they might command for the player.
But if he is a success at Old Trafford you can guarantee that the fans will want the player and not the cash.
