- Birthdate: 13 Feb 1994
- Birthplace: Moordrecht, Netherlands
- Position: Winger
- Joined United: 12 Jun 2015
- Joined From: PSV Eindhoven
- International: Netherlands
- United Debut: 8 Aug 2015 v Tottenham (H)
- Appearances: 30
An exciting and unpredictable talent with limitless potential, Memphis Depay looks every inch a star performer tailor made for the biggest stage.
Never lacking self-confidence, the raw recruit has a clear goal – to become one of the best footballers in the world – and is taking rapid strides towards fulfilling this ambition by swatting defensive adversaries aside and clearing any obstacles that come his way.
Finding a coach in Louis van Gaal who invested faith in his abilities enabled him to make a real splash at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil for the Netherlands when he announced himself to the watching millions with a fearlessness youth can often engender. Seemingly lacking any nerves despite the occasion, he sparkled when introduced as a substitute against Australia in the group stages. Not only did he set up a goal for Robin van Persie but he blasted in the winner himself and also found the net against Chile in Sao Paulo to further enhance a growing reputation.
Memphis, the name he wears on the back of his shirt, started the quarter-final tie with Costa Rica but it proved to be his last involvement at the tournament as van Gaal’s side ultimately finished third after losing 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to Argentina in the semi-finals. Yet nothing could stop the Dutch juggernaut on his path to more stardom, as he proceeded to become leading goalscorer in PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie title-winning campaign in 2014/15. Although not an out-and-out striker, his ability to penetrate from the left-hand side and unleash unstoppable right-footed shots caused nightmares for opposition defences.
Also a mean striker of a dead ball, Memphis delivered plenty of tricks and assists and was the undisputed star of the show at PSV, the club he joined from Sparta Rotterdam as a schoolboy. The step up to Old Trafford, following in the footsteps of Ji-sung Park, Jaap Stam and Ruud van Nistelrooy, should not faze him – even if it will surely require a period of acclimatisation to life in the Premier League.
At least he will find van Gaal in charge of the Reds, somebody who has already been a hugely positive influence from their time together at international level. Indeed, the United manager was instrumental in ensuring Paris Saint Germain were beaten to the punch in securing his signature once PSV gave their consent to a lucrative transfer. Furthermore, Netherlands colleagues Daley Blind and Robin van Persie can help him settle into life at the Aon Training Complex.
While many pundits and ex-players have been right to indicate there will be extra pressure on his shoulders in England, his career trajectory suggests there is no great cause for doubt. A virtuoso display against Spain at Ajax’s Amsterdam ArenA in March, during a 2-0 triumph for Guus Hiddink’s side, dismissed any notion that the World Cup fireworks could have been a flash in the pan. Another eye-catching performance for his country against USA, in the wake of the announcement that he would be joining United, served only to increase the anticipation for the Reds fans watching his wing wizardry live on MUTV.
Memphis is very much a modern footballer, radiating star status. United offers him the perfect platform to achieve all of his goals and there is reason to expect it can become the perfect combination. It certainly promises to be explosive and the Old Trafford faithful are already preparing to embrace a new hero.
