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Walking in Memphis

Young winger delights with a brace as the Red Devils sink Brugge

by Suzanne Beishon

MEMPHIS DEPAY will have to fight off the advances of manager Louis Van Gaal after his heroics against Club Brugge on Tuesday night.

The steely Dutch boss purred: “I want to kiss him tonight,” after his £25 million man hit two stunning strikes before setting up Marouane Fellaini in the dying seconds to secure a 3-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier at Old Trafford.

“I’m very happy for him because a player needs that.

“Hopefully he shall continue to score.“I have confidence in him. He showed what he can do tonight. He scored two goals and got the assist for the other.”

After his brace, his first goals for his new club after signing from PSV Eindhoven this summer, the young winger was left ruing missed opportunities that denied him a hat-trick.

In particular, a late United surge from Luke Shaw and tidy backheel from Wayne Rooney left Depay with the perfect opportunity to take the match ball but instead he skied it into the Stretford End crowd.

“I’m happy that I scored, and of course I’m happy that we won, but I must admit I’m a bit disappointed because I could have scored the last two chances and got a hat-trick,” Depay said.

“I will think about that tonight and forget about it tomorrow.”When Michael Carrick turned the ball into his own net in the eighth minute, it looked like United’s first Champions League tie at Old Trafford in 16 months might not go to script.

But Depay’s brace and Fellaini’s guiding header put United firmly in the driver’s seat ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg.

“I don’t think that we have a danger because the players shall know that Brugge is a very difficult club to beat,” Van Gaal added.

“They have seen it today. Brugge was very lucky to score a goal because I cannot remember a chance for Brugge.”

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