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Has Memphis Depay Actually Started Badly For Manchester United?

It turns out that Memphis Depay’s start for Manchester United might have actually been rather mediocre.

I was under the impression that after goals in the ties against Club Brugge and PSV in the Champions League, and bursts of brilliance in the Premier League, especially at Aston Villa and Southampton, Memphis had done enough to suggest he was a good signing that could turn into a great one.

Sure, there have been some bad moments too. In fact, in United’s biggest two games of the season so far, against Liverpool and Arsenal, he was withdrawn at half time for being so poor. This has now allowed the naysayers to creep in and voice their discontent.

So, earlier this week, Memphis Depay decided to respond to the alleged criticism by insisting he is still adjusting to Old Trafford following his £25 million transfer for PSV.

“There are a lot of games in Manchester. There are very few rest days and on training days you are mainly concerned with recovering,” Depay explained on Wednesday to De Telegraaf. “It’s heavy, two games a week, always at a high level, and my body has to get used to that.”

All of which is both understandable and unnecessary for him to explain. Let’s not forget that Memphis Depay is just 21-years-old, and while he might have failed to match the immediate impact that Anthony Martial has had, there’s still been plenty of hints that he has the strength, pace, and guile to trouble English defences for seasons to come.

It’s quite easy to forget the plaudits that were coming his way following United’s first leg victory over Club Brugge 3-1. With United having conceded an early away goal and needing a quick response to take control of the tie Depay was the one who stepped up.

Not only did he flick the ball over a defender, hold off two others, and then drive a composed finish into the ball from 18 yards for his opener, but his second was a sublime curling effort that he had to possess an arrogant gall to even attempt. Depay then set-up the third with a cross for Maraoune Fellaini to head home just to confirm his impressive display.

Against PSV, in the first group stage game, Depay was once again the bright spark; always asking for the ball, driving forward with poise and purpose, while still linking up gloriously with his fellow front-men. Yes, United ultimately lost the match, but Depay let it be known that he was ready to perform on the European stage. So far he’s got three goals in four appearances. A very healthy return.

Unfortunately, in the Premier League, it’s been a different story. In eight games he’s only scored one goal, against a woeful Sunderland side. He has been unlucky not to add more to that tally, striking the woodwork against Southampton and spurning several good chances in other games too, but there have been several games when he’s struggled to get involved or make an impact.

In fact, his main issue has been that he’s often looked rushed and a little too eager to impress.

Maybe the emergence of Antony Martial has stoked a competitive fire in him to prove that he’s the big dog at the club. As a professional athlete, I can only imagine that there’s probably a little of truth to that. And that’s not a bad thing.

He just needs to remember that they’re each pulling for the same team. In fact, he’s already shown suggestions that he should link up deliciously with Martial over the coming weeks, months, and years.

But either way the criticism Memphis has recent faced is redundant, because he is still only 21-years-old and just 8 games into a Manchester United career that will hopefully last for years.

By this point, all we wanted to have seen was just little flashes of potential that suggest he could be the real deal. And he’s done just that. It’s too early to expect relentless consistency. Let’s not forget that it took Cristiano Ronaldo three seasons to truly adjust to English football, and when he did he never looked back.

The same patience needs to be applied to Memphis Depay. Because if it isn’t then there’s a chance he’ll drown before we even gave him a chance to swim.

[Images via Getty]