Louis van Gaal backs Memphis Depay to come good for Manchester United



Depay will return to the Philips Stadion for the first time on Tuesday since his £25million move from PSV to Old Trafford.

On the eve of the Champions League group stage encounter, Van Gaal said he had full confidence in his star forward even though he is yet to score for the club in five Premier League outings.

"As a manager you are never satisfied but he is doing well," the United manager said of Depay.

"He has played every game until now, but it's not so easy

It's a high rhythm in the Premier League but he has to adapt to that high rhythm and he shall improve I think.

"I have to be patient for Memphis and the fans do also."

Depay admitted it would be a strange experience playing against his old team-mates just three months after leaving.

He feels great warmth for the club that signed him when he was just a 12-year-old youth.

But that does not mean he will hold back on his celebration if he scores against his old employers.

"For me it's a game, so if I score I will celebrate," Depay said.

"I have respect for PSV but I am a Manchester United player now."

It is a much-changed United side that Van Gaal leads back into the Champions League following their one-year absence.

Over a quarter of a billion pounds has been spent on new players during the Dutchman's 14 months in charge, but the United boss admits he does not know whether they can be a major force in the Europe just yet.

"We have to show on the pitch if we are able to win matches on the highest level," Van Gaal said.

"That's also a challenge for us now

Last year we were fourth in the Premier League.

"We qualified ourselves this year and that was our aim so now we have to show if we are able to play at that level and that I don't know, neither

I have to wait and see.

"I think the Champions League is a higher podium than the Premier League but maybe it's not like that."

With Wayne Rooney still out because of a hamstring injury, Van Gaal could hand Anthony Martial his first start three days after he scored on his debut against Liverpool.

But given the fact that Van Gaal was trying to do everything he could to temper expectations on the 19-year-old forward, it seems more likely he will start on the bench.

"His impression is good," Van Gaal said of the teenager, who could end up costing United £58million.

"But you have to give him time and that is what the fans need to do because he cannot change the market price."

Source : PA

Source: PA