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Striker Start Could be Catalyst for Memphis Depay Revival

By Rucker Haringey

Jul 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Paris Saint-Germain defender Youssouf Sabaly (31) steals the ball from Manchester United forward Memphis DePay (9) during the second half at Soldier Field. Paris Saint-Germain defeats Manchester United 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Paris Saint-Germain defender Youssouf Sabaly (31) steals the ball from Manchester United forward Memphis DePay (9) during the second half at Soldier Field. Paris Saint-Germain defeats Manchester United 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Depay swept into Manchester United like a lion but has played more like a lamb as of late. Today, Louis Van Gaal opted to play the youngster as a stand-alone striker in a desperate attempt to restart his career. It’s paid off in spades.

Louis Van Gaal is officially trying everything he can think of to kickstart Memphis Depay’s season back into shape. In today’s match against Watford he chose to deploy the speedy Depay as a striker in the absence of uusal strikers Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial. The move clearly dripped with desperation, but was also sprinkled with brilliant ingenuity.

Depay’s struggles have been covered by fans and the press alike ad nauseum. Prior to today’s match, he only managed to contribute one goal this season for a Manchester United offense that’s struggled to show much life.

Let’s be honest, if the Premier League was won by lateral passes then United would be run away champions. Depay was brought in to be one of United’s prominent vertical threats.

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No doubt Van Gaal has tried to assuage Depay’s mental pain in training every way possible. For all of Van Gaal’s critics, he has shown a real willingness to try everything he can to put his players in a position to succeed. He’s played Marouane Fellaini as a striker for goodness sakes. If that doesn’t illustrate a willingness to try everything on the part of the manager then nothing will.

Many will claim that Van Gaal only started Depay as a striker today due to the lack of availibility of Rooney and Martial. I think this is largely true, but I bet Van Gaal was happy to have the opportunity to play his struggling starlet up top.

Even Van Gaal’s most loyal fans admit that he has a huge ego. That ego wouln’t allow him to give up on Memphis Depay. The pacy winger was one of his first “big” signings at United and someone he had a great deal of familiarity with. He is desperate to have the youngster play well for him.

Van Gaal was running out of options to make Depay a valuable team member this season. His injury conundrum today gave him the opportunity to do something drastic to help Memphis. It allowed him to play him as striker, seemingly as just a reaction to injuries. In reality, it’s something Van Gaal was probably looking to do anyway.

When a young attacking player like Depay is struggling, one of the things a good manager will do is try to simplify the game for him. As a winger Depay would have a lot of mental weight on him given his recent struggles. Not only would he be thinking of how to influence the game offensively, but he’d also need to pay strict attention to his defensive responsibilities. The move to striker allowed him to focus the whole of his energies on his offensive drought.

Clearly, the move paid off. Depay gave United their advantage with his first half goal and looked to be a threat all game. Yes, his opposition was Watford, not exactly the Premier League’s best defense, but that doesn’t matter. Depay’s goal lifted the crushing weight of expectations off the young attacker. You could almost see his shoulders lift after the goal. After his goal it looked as if he exhaled for the first time in weeks.

Depay won’t continue to be selected as a striker by Van Gaal, but that isn’t necesary. The one goal he was able to score playing up top at Watford has bought him a new lease on life. He doesn’t have to answer the questions from everyone about his goal drought any longer. He doesn’t have to quietly wonder to himself if another goal will ever come. His mind can find some peace.

Time will tell if his goal will be a temporary reprieve or the start of a season resurgence for the young speedster. At least now, after this desperate move by Van Gaal he has a chance to again contribute for Manchester United this season.

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