Memphis Depay: The makings of a Manchester United legend?
Years and years of achievement and history is buried inside Old Trafford, the Theatre Of Dreams, countless trophies, sensational records all created by the world’s best footballers. Manchester United are renown around the world as been one of, if not the best football team in footballing history, however the last few years suggest a much different story, ever since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
The number seven shirt in the Manchester United squad list has already played host to an iconic figure, set to be a club legend. The likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and arguably the best player in the world today, Cristiano Ronaldo have all represented the famous shirt for United and gone on to achieve success. The shirt number has failed to raise a legend in United’s dressing room ever since Ronaldo left the club in 2009.
The most recent, disappointing era for Manchester United has emerged as David Moyes took over the club before his successor Louis Van Gaal, United has lacked a clinical number seven figure who can lead the club back to their glory days. The most recent occupants of the shirt have included Ecuadorian international Antionio Valencia and Angel Di Maria who holds the record for the most expensive player ever bought by a British club, £59.7 million and yet he produced just three goals in his debut season before Van Gaal transferred him on for a cut-fee.
Now in the 2015/16 United seem a much more formidable team, they’ve sifted on their weak links and aging players, replacing them with much more class and potential in the ranks. United are yet to concede a goal this season in the League yet and are also unbeaten in all their outings and also look set for a solid Champions League run after a superb solo performance from £24.6 million signing Memphis Depay scoring two girls in a qualifying first leg tie against Club Brugge.
That man Depay, who was highlighted by many as a potential star after solid performances for Holland at the 2014 World Cup, also his young age and attacking presence made him a key target for clubs worldwide after earning the Golden boot in the Eredivisie, he scored 22 goals in 30 appearances in his final season, also helping PSV secure the title.
The simple question is; Can Depay be the man to bring back the glory days to United?
Alone, I doubt it. However, with the formidable squad Van Gaal is forming, Depay could prove a key asset should United earn trophies in the next couple of seasons. Depay seems disciplined, committed and hungry for goals, he seem’s a more established and settled Raheem Sterling which is why he is going to be the man to take United to the top.
Sterling lit up the Premier League a couple of seasons ago with his incredible partnership with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, United have however, struggled for a centre forward in recent seasons and seem to be sticking with Wayne Rooney to be the hitman upfront. Behind him they have Depay and Mata, but they miss another world class forward to help create a formidable front four.
Van Gaal seems to be at least rumouring to be building his ultimate team with endless interests and bids for top European players to partner the likes of Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger, but Depay will need to bring in a constant flow of goals until United sign at least one other world class forward.
At just 21 years old Depay has the potential to become one of the greatest players in world football, he can continue the legacy of the classic number seven shirt at Man United, the Premier League is host to many wingers who mimic his style of play, pacey down the wings but also has no problem then getting into the area being the scorer not just provider.
Depay has been highlighted as United’s biggest signing and received Depay for a bargain price in comparison to the likes of Raheem Sterling who is almost the same player in terms of style, but cost Manchester City a staggering £49 million pounds, and if anything Depay is more committed and driven to the task at hand.
The Dutchman has already been labelled within the world class category and for the right reasons, he has achieved so much at such a young age and got amongst the best in the world, under Van Gaal, Depay will thrive, he’s not quite the final piece of the jigsaw, but alone he can win games and proven so in his short spell already, that’s something United have seriously lacked the last few campaigns.
It’s still very early days in the season but United have four competitions they will be aiming for this season, and should their famous number seven icon continue, then Memphis Depay could be set this season to establish himself as a Manchester United legend after just one season.
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