Abhranil Roy
Memphis Depay came to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven amidst a lot of fanfare and a huge price tag. The Dutch star was immediately handed the legendary number 7 jersey, the one which had been previously worn by the likes of Ronaldo and Cantona. The expectations out of him were crystal clear, even if they were a bit unrealistic.
Performance so far:
Barring an occasional good performance here and then, Depay has flattered to deceive. He scored only 9 goals all season despite making more than 40 appearances. He has mostly featured on the left flank, his natural position, but has not made a notable mark. Dutch legend Ruud Gullit has criticized him of being a show off and not focusing on his game, something which is probably not way off the mark.
Depay has a habit of not looking up while putting in a cross, and is often selfish at times, which often means he fails to pass it to a teammate who is in a better position than himself or give the ball away at the wrong time, like he did away to Chelsea last season, which cost us a what could have been a massive win at Stamford Bridge.
Future:
Depay was honest in his assessment of his season, saying how he has not managed to live up to his own expectations. It’s a new place and he is still only 22, so we get that Memphis. However, with Mourinho at the helm now, the winger can hope to make a fresh start. With Netherlands not making it to the Euros this year, he has time to get his act together. The Portugese loves a pacy and skilful winger upfront, and if Depay can impress the boss, he is certain to start every game. The talent is there and it’s unquestionable, not he just has to apply it properly in the next campaign.
