[Shark]

Yeah, he was disappointing IMO. Although I'll give him the benefit of the doubt as every man and his dog knows he should be playing in Young' position.

 

[Question234]

wont judge him till he's playing in his favoured position.

 

[Trigg]

So he's playing behind Rooney because Young is player very well...

Spoiler

It is not difficult to find icons at Old Trafford. From former greats in the stands on matchday to Sir Alex Ferguson’s name on a stand, reminders of the past are everywhere you look.

But Manchester United's No.7 shirt is in a class of its own thanks to the famous names who have filled it over the decades.

From Best to Cantona, Beckham to Ronaldo, the ghosts of the past make it a daunting prospect to pull that one over your head.

For the latest keeper of the flame however, the red No.7 is nothing more than an inspiration to prove he can be one of the greats.

Memphis Depay’s transfer from PSV Eindhoven put him under the spotlight because of the £31million price tag — a lumpy payout for a 21-year-old who had only ever played in the Dutch league.

A cautious start ended midway through the second half of Saturday's win over Tottenham when he was substituted, but afterwards he promised there was plenty more to come.

He said: “Last year I played with no.7 and I scored a lot of goals so I am confident with that number. It’s an honour to wear the no.7 and I will wear it with pride.

“I know the history about the number. I appreciate it. But I want to be my own man. I want to show that I can wear it with pride.”

It took him a little while to take in the size of where he now plays but he is ready to be part of United’s entertaining philosophy.

He said: “It was a good experience — different to playing in the PSV stadium. It’s the biggest stadium I have ever played in. The stadium and pitch is bigger, everything goes faster. But that is what I like about the Premier League.

“I want to bring creative things, goals. I have to play with discipline in midfield. I can’t lose the ball too much, I can make risks on the side when I come in the third phase, then I can make my tricks and take risks.

"What I did last year, I want to do that in Manchester United.”

Memphis spent his debut largely playing in behind captain and main striker Wayne Rooney.

He had one early shot blocked but it was Rooney who should have scored the only goal after 22 minutes, only for the ball to stick under his feet and full-back Kyle Walker to inadvertently put past his own keeper in trying to clear.

Christian Eriksen could have scored early on for Spurs, only to lob too high while Sergio Romero marked his debut with a good late save to deny the same player.

United boss Louis van Gaal celebrated his 64th birthday with the opening-day win and he was encouraged with Memphis, even though he sees him as a work in progress.

Van Gaal said: “It is a new position for him and he has to adapt to the new position because he is a goal-scoring type.

“We have to wait and see if he can fulfil the demands of this position but that’s also because Ashley Young is playing very good on the left side. That is the circumstances now but it can change during the season. He can play in this position.”

As for his ability to create a working partnership with Rooney, LVG added: “Yeah, but he is too eager, I think.

“I have said that in advance. New players, especially young players, want to show their qualities. The next match, because of that, will be better for him.”

Whether it will be good enough to rate alongside past greats remains to be seen but given the last two seasons of frustration at Old Trafford, starting with a win was all that anyone cared about.

The flair Memphis promises will be a welcome bonus.

 

[LR7]

I don't think people should be overly critical just yet. Give the lad a chance! He was ok. I agree that I want to see him on the wing though.

 

[RedMachine03]

MEMPHIS ON HIS DEBUT
"It was a great experience, different than playing at PSV’s stadium. That was a perfect stadium also, but this is the biggest I’ve played in."

MEMPHIS PROUD OF NO.7
On wearing no.7, he said: "It’s an honour to wear the number 7 and I will wear it with pride. I know the history of the number, I appreciate it and I want to show that I can wear it with pride."

MORE FROM MEMPHIS
“I want to bring creativity and goals. Of course, I have to play with discipline in midfield and I can’t lose the ball too much, but I can take more risks on the wing when I enter the final third. That’s when I can do tricks or take a risk."

 

[Pexbo]

So he's playing behind Rooney because Young is player very well...

So his fee has gone up to €44m already....

 

[RedMachine03]

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

MEMPHIS ON HIS DEBUT
"It was a great experience, different than playing at PSV’s stadium. That was a perfect stadium also, but this is the biggest I’ve played in."

MEMPHIS PROUD OF NO.7
On wearing no.7, he said: "It’s an honour to wear the number 7 and I will wear it with pride. I know the history of the number, I appreciate it and I want to show that I can wear it with pride."

MORE FROM MEMPHIS
“I want to bring creativity and goals. Of course, I have to play with discipline in midfield and I can’t lose the ball too much, but I can take more risks on the wing when I enter the final third. That’s when I can do tricks or take a risk."

Hopefully Memphis will show his confidence one day and just tell LVG to just try him out on the wing. It's a mindfeck.

 

[Cassidy]

MEMPHIS ON HIS DEBUT
"It was a great experience, different than playing at PSV’s stadium. That was a perfect stadium also, but this is the biggest I’ve played in."

MEMPHIS PROUD OF NO.7
On wearing no.7, he said: "It’s an honour to wear the number 7 and I will wear it with pride. I know the history of the number, I appreciate it and I want to show that I can wear it with pride."

MORE FROM MEMPHIS
“I want to bring creativity and goals. Of course, I have to play with discipline in midfield and I can’t lose the ball too much, but I can take more risks on the wing when I enter the final third. That’s when I can do tricks or take a risk."

Sooo is he going to move to the left then.... hmmm I hope so

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

Forgettable from everyone pretty much except Darmian. Let's see how things pan out with Depay in the middle for a bit, could work well.

 

[Timdbro]

So LVG is rewarding Young for last season's performances by giving him a chance to cement a place this season, but will move Memphis to the left when Ashley suffers a dip in form? Or is that reading between the lines too much?
Either way, it's almost certain Memphis will get some game time on the left at some point, it'll be up to him to perform there.

 

[SalfordRed1960]

So he's playing behind Rooney because Young is player very well...

I must have missed something, but when did we pay 31 GBP for Depay?

 

[JPRouve]

I must have missed something, but when did we pay 31 GBP for Depay?

Never

 

[SalfordRed1960]

Never

That is what I thought, but the spoiler 'said hefty 31M price tag'.

 

[JPRouve]

That is what I thought, but the spoiler 'said hefty 31M price tag'.

They still struggle with currencies and add ons. Or they do it on purpose.

 

[Raw]

Mentions that he might try Memphis on the left. I really can't wait to see him play there.

 

[ChaddyP]

I think im one of the few in here that really liked him in the middle.

 

[JPRouve]

I think im one of the few in here that really liked him in the middle.

Probably, because there was nothing to like. He did absolutely nothing particularly interesting, nothing that Mata wouldn't do.

 

[darioterios]

I prefer that position to be more a second striker than a third midfielder.

 

[JPRouve]

We already knew that, Muller and Litmanen are perfect examples of that.

 

[darioterios]

We already knew that, Muller and Litmanen are perfect examples of that.

I remember in his interviews he said about options for that point forward, sometimes it had to be SS, sometimes it had to be a midfielder up there. I did not recall him saying he would prefer one to another

 

[JPRouve]

I remember in his interviews he said about options for that point forward, sometimes it had to be SS, sometimes it had to be a midfielder up there. I did not recall him saying he would prefer one to another

Most of the time he uses a second striker, even for Nederland, he chose Van der Vaart over Sneijder, for a long time iirc.

 

[MikeUpNorth]

Mentions that he might try Memphis on the left. I really can't wait to see him play there.

When Fellaini is back from suspension I think we might see Memphis on the left.

 

[Rozay]

Then he should stop saying he wants to play 4-3-3 if he prefers a second striker to a midfielder. We need that link from the midfield to the attack anyway, Memphis isn't the man I don't think. We'll get there eventually though, probably when Young is injured and we are forced to play a proper link man, and end up playing much better.

Anyway, his second striker comments sound like the beginning of the end for Herrera. I don't think he fancies him in a 2 man midfield.

 

[JPRouve]

Then he should stop saying he wants to play 4-3-3 if he prefers a second striker to a midfielder. We need that link from the midfield to the attack anyway, Memphis isn't the man I don't think. We'll get there eventually though, probably when Young is injured and we are forced to play a proper link man, and end up playing much better.

Anyway, his second striker comments sound like the beginning of the end for Herrera. I don't think he fancies him in a 2 man midfield.

Not really, he prefers a second striker for the additional goal threat, if we sign an other goalscoring winger, there is a fair chance that he plays Mata or Herrera in the middle.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Muller is surely the ideal guy he's looking for behind the striker.
Hope to see this one day...

Rooney
Memphis Muller Pedro​

 

[ChaddyP]

We already knew that, Muller and Litmanen are perfect examples of that.

exactly. as a matter of fact when he first came we all thought he would definitely use rooney as his ten as he already said he likes his number ten as a more second striker than midfield. he always said this. One thing with van gaal especially when hes asked questions he always goes back and says " but i have said this already" because he has

Probably, because there was nothing to like. He did absolutely nothing particularly interesting, nothing that Mata wouldn't do.

maybe you see what you want. most already had reservations over him in the middle and basically had their minds made up already. like blind at CB. It would have taken something master class for Depay to convince anyone. He did well and i like the pace he brings in the middle. something mata cannot do. He may well move to the left. But the reason why this is being hated is because herrera doesnt play, and nobody likes that on the caf. where as i couldn't give a feck.

 

[JPRouve]

maybe you see what you want. most already had reservations over him in the middle and basically had their minds made up already. like blind at CB. It would have taken something master class for Depay to convince anyone. He did well and i like the pace he brings in the middle. something mata cannot do. He may well move to the left. But the reason why this is being hated is because herrera doesnt play, and nobody likes that on the caf. where as i couldn't give a feck.

Actually I think that you are the one victim of that. I have nothing against him playing in the middle, I see why Van Gaal would like to try that and I think that it's not a bad idea. But he hasn't been good there, yet.

 

[ChaddyP]

Actually I think that you are the one victim of that. I have nothing against him playing in the middle, I see why Van Gaal would like to try that and I think that it's not a bad idea. But he hasn't been good there, yet.

well maybe i should be more specific. he was ok there. i should have said i really like the IDEA of him there. he wasn't fantastic there against spurs... but who was? not that its an excuse but with a few more games the idea on paper of what he could bring to the position may come to reality.

 

[Rozay]

Not really, he prefers a second striker for the additional goal threat, if we sign an other goalscoring winger, there is a fair chance that he plays Mata or Herrera in the middle.

Hopefully, but I don't think that's necessarily what he said. He just implied it is a stylistic preference, without divulging that it is to cover a goalscoring deficiency.

 

[JPRouve]

well maybe i should be more specific. he was ok there. i should have said i really like the IDEA of him there. he wasn't fantastic there against spurs... but who was? not that its an excuse but with a few more games the idea on paper of what he could bring to the position may come to reality.

Agreed, the idea is interesting, the performance was a bit meh. But he has the tools to succeed there.

 

[settembrini]

Then he should stop saying he wants to play 4-3-3 if he prefers a second striker to a midfielder. We need that link from the midfield to the attack anyway, Memphis isn't the man I don't think. We'll get there eventually though, probably when Young is injured and we are forced to play a proper link man, and end up playing much better.

Agree with all this. Van Gaal's tactical abilities continue to be a worry.

At least he mentioned the possibility of moving Depay out to the left though, so that's a positive.

 

[darioterios]

Most of the time he uses a second striker, even for Nederland, he chose Van der Vaart over Sneijder, for a long time iirc.

The big space!?
(L. van Gaal) -
Yes, not deep... that's one striker, and he has to ties the central defender to pick him up... because then the spaces here
it's bigger... so that's why I played like this... and that’s why I played in 4-3-3 with a second striker, the number 10,
mostly... and dependable of the quality of the player he is a second striker or a third midfielder... So Litmanen in Ajax...
has a third midfielder... Dennis Bergkamp is a second striker

I have given up interpreting him
http://jeddavies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Louis-Van-Gaal-interview.pdf

 

[Pogue Mahone]

If he prefers a second striker to a midfielder in that central position, why not play Mata there?

 

[The-Natural]

Our manager is starting to really upset me.

 

[JPRouve]

If he prefers a second striker to a midfielder in that central position, why not play Mata there?

Not enough goals, maybe? And Depay is a genuine goal threat, if you play him on the right you put him in a position where he can't express that, and Young is surprisingly weak on the right. So my guess would be that it's the lack of decent right winger.

 

[ChaddyP]

Not enough goals, maybe? And Depay is a genuine goal threat, if you play him on the right you put him in a position where he can't express that, and Young is surprisingly weak on the right. So my guess would be that it's the lack of decent right winger.

which is probably why we are after pedro

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Not enough goals, maybe? And Depay is a genuine goal threat, if you play him on the right you put him in a position where he can't express that, and Young is surprisingly weak on the right. So my guess would be that it's the lack of decent right winger.

Mata's probably the second best finisher at the club. Although, to be fair, Memphis may be better. I haven't watched him enough to know one way or another.

I had assumed that Young was holding down the left wing slot on merit (which Van Gaal more or less confirmed earlier this week) so I do wonder why we don't play Mata in the centre and Depay on the right. Although that takes away Depay's signature move of cutting back onto his right foot for a shot.

Basically, yeah, I can see a certain logic in what he's doing but I think Mata could do a decent shop behind Rooney. Quite possibly better than Memphis.

 

[JPRouve]

I have given up interpreting him
http://jeddavies.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Louis-Van-Gaal-interview.pdf

Just a little thing for Van gaal both 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, are 4-3-3.

In this video he shows his two optons for nederland and you can see that in the 4-3-3 he chooses Sneijder and in the 4-2-3-1 he chooses Van der Vaart, eve though Sneijder can play in both systems.

 

[dave2528]

I think if we continue to lack a decent link-up in the middle of the pitch between the No. 10 and midfield, that we're better off moving Memphis to the left and then playing either Mata or Herrera in behind the striker. My ideal line-up at this point would be Rooney up top with Herrera in behind him, flanked by Memphis on the left and Mata on the right.