Memphis Depay, Who is He? Is He bound for Old Trafford?

   A fairly unknown name for most, Mephis Depay however has been setting the Eredivisie alight for some years now. The 21 year old wide man is currently the top scorer in the division with 21 goals (Whoscored.com), a really impressive tally for a winger. On Saturday Sky Sports announced that Manchester United have made an inquiry for his services, and after Louis Van Gaal gave the explosive winger a chance at the World Cup last summer, would Depay fancy being reunited with his old coach and playing for one of the best clubs in world football?

    It looks as if he will go to Old Trafford if I am honest, it’s rare that when United go for a player of his caliber that they let them slip. The obvious Dutch link between Manchester United's coaching staff and the player will also help United in capturing his signature. Manchester United have also a habit of liking Dutch players, and Dutch players doing very well when playing for the club. You only have to remember the likes of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Jaap Stam, Edwin Van Der Sar and more recently Robin Van Persie and Daley Blind to see that there is a prominent connection there. However United do face some fierce competition, PSV's club technical director has already stated the amount of interest in the player; 

"Spurs offered about €20 million last summer. Paris Saint-Germain then tested our resolve in the winter. But neither PSV, nor Memphis were interested in a winter move. We were talking about a lot of money, but decided against a transfer" (Fox Sports).

   So yes United will face competition for the winger, but considering P.S.G already have world class wide men in, Edison Cavani, Lucas Moura and Ezequiel Lavezzi, unless there was movement here you can’t see them parting with another £30-£40M on a position that is already filled. Financial fair play will also be a factor as to why P.S.G may not bid for the player.  But would he fit into Manchester United's current system? Depay is a player who occupies the left wingers role and likes to come inside onto his right foot, and is far more effective on the left than right. But United already have Ashley Young in the left side position? He has had a pretty good season for United really and would probably feel aggrieved if Memphis Depay was to arrive at the AON training complex come the summer. But Ashley Young is not getting any younger, and this may be a factor in the transfer, he will be 30 come next season and the signing of Memphis Depay could be a forward thinking action from Louis Van Gaal.

   So how much would the talented youngster cost Manchester United? Well PSV's manager, Philllipe Cocu has already stated that he turned down an approximate £14.5M bid from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, and no doubt after a brilliant World Cup and Eredivisie campaign his value would have probably doubled. I think Louis Van Gaal will be looking at a figure of around £30M for Mephis Depay, and in this current staggering market that wouldn't be such a bad deal. I personally think that Robin Van Persie should be part of the deal. He will be 32 years old when the next season starts and I feel he is looking for a move away from United after finding his chances limited this season, particularly as Louis Van Gaal seems to favor the lone striker in his tactical ideologies. A move back to his homeland may be favorable for the Dutch Star and could knock of a considerable amount from the transfer fee, and a way off keeping Manchester United clear of financial foul play.

   Would he be worth it? Definitely. He is just the player United need in my opinion, a real goal scoring winger who has buckets of talent and will still improve hugely. For me he draws comparisons with F.C. Barcelona's Neymar JR, maybe a big statement but he has the same sort of qualities in his Skill, Technique, Free-Kick ability, Speed and Flair. I am certain that in a few years he will be up there with one of the best players in Europe. It would be silly for United, who I think can definitely  get their player over other clubs, because of the Dutch connection, to let the player slip out of their grasps. The future is certainly an exciting one for the fans of Manchester United, I still think they need 2 or 3 players as well as Mephis Depay to challenge on all fronts next season, and the money is there to do just that. Plenty for fans to look forward to!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTfYhKCBLLI

 Youtube channel 'ScoutNationHD' video of Mephis Depay. A great insight into the wingers capabilities! Give it a watch!

Ryan Crow (c)
ryancrow10@hotmail.co.uk