Memphis Depay inspires United on Champions League return
By Lee Kilby
Memphis Depay scored two stunning goals to inspire Manchester United to a victory over Club Brugge in their Champions League play-off first-leg.
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Club Brugge took a surprise first-leg lead through Michael Carrick’s own goal. He deflected a free-kick past United keeper Sergio Romero to give Brugge an important away goal.
However their lead didn’t last long, Carrick atoned for his mistake just five minutes later. Carrick played a superb ball into Depay, he brought it under control before lobbing defender Dion Cools, skipping round the other side and beginning to work his way inside. He then brilliantly placed his shot leaving goalkeeper Sebastien Bruzzese no chance.
The second goal, after 43 minutes, showed just why Louis Van Gaal was so adamant that United sign him. Daley Blind hit a perfectly weighted pass into Depay’s path on the left and he cut inside again before unleashing a quite spectacular shot that flew past Bruzzese and into the net.
Every time Depay got the ball, Brugge had no answer. He ran through their defence as if it wasn’t there. When he ran straight at the Brugges defence after 52 minutes, their defenders looked as if they had sirens going off. Javier Hernandez came on for Januzaj after his season-long loan at Real Madrid and he received a standing ovation from the Old Trafford faithful. Immedietly as he came on, the Brugge defence couldn’t handle his pace.
Centre-half Brandon Mechele will miss the second leg having been sent off for a second bookable offence, a needless foul on Javier Hernandez who was going away from goal at the time.
Depay’s final contribution came as an assist that should give United enough to reach the group stages. The return leg is in Belgium a week on Wednesday. Referee Deniz Aytekin had the whistle in his mouth when he allowed United to complete their attack towards the Stretford End.
Depay whipped the ball in from the left and Marouane Fellaini headed it past Bruzzese. Van Gaal said United had been working on that in training.
England captain Rooney has been leading the line for United but he didn’t show confidence in front of goal. Some of Rooney’s best work came outside the box, with one of his passes and a clever backheel setting up Depay for two excellent chances. Rooney kept dropping deeper and playing a number 10, and because of this, United looked as though they lacked something upfront. This could be something for Louis Van Gaal to consider and he could look at the transfer market to solve this issue.
He managed only one touch in the area during Friday’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa and when chances did come his way against the Belgian side he had a volley hacked clear and glanced a header wide from a corner.
Manchester United have got one foot in the Champions League group stage, however they will have to keep their feet on the ground next week in Belgium if they are to advance into the next round.