7 things to know about Manchester United's newest signing Memphis Depay

The alarm bells were sent ringing when about a week back, when PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands suggested that their prized winger Memphis Depay is likely to bid adieu to the club in the summer. Manchester United have finally secured the talented youngster’s signature before the start of the next season.The 21-year old trailblazing winger came to prominence last year in the World Cup as he made the world stand up and notice with a series of impressive cameo performances for Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands team. Depay has ever since been a firm fixture in the gossip column with his name being linked with a host of clubs irrespective of whether the transfer window remains open or not.While his impressive showings for the Oranje has earned him rave reviews, the pacy winger still remains a relatively unknown to many mainstream football fans and if you are one of them, sit back and relax as Sportskeeda has got you covered. Here are 7 things you should know about Memphis Depay.

#1 A son of adversity

Memphis Depay had a testing childhood to put it kindly. With a Ghanian father and a Dutch mother, Depay had to see his parents separate at the tender age of four. The psychological damage and the emotional pain that he might have experienced is hard to put it in any words, let alone any metrics. This is why, the youngster dropped “Depay” from the back of his shirt since 2012 and now wears his name “Memphis” at the back of his shirt, as Depay is his father’s name, a man he says to have hardly known.

If that wasn’t pain enough, the youthful Memphis’ strength was again tested when his grandfather, a figure of great influence in his life passed away on his 15th birthday. But, nothing seems to be big enough to deter the young talent on his climb up the ladder.

#2 Spotted by PSV at a very early age and the success that followed

Football is a golden tree, a place where millions of youth have found shade and solace away from their troubled reality, and will continue to do so. For Memphis Depay, the story wasn’t much different. A football at his feet brought joy to his heart and he was able to channel that joy into getting recognition very early on in his life. He joined the local team VV Moordrecht at a very early where his performances got him the attention scouts across the country.

Depay left his hometown to join PSV Eindhoven at the age of 12. However, by the time Memphis Depay leaves the Phillips stadium at Eindhoven, he would surely have had enshrined a separate niche for himself amongst the many reputed graduates from the famous club.

Depay’s first taste of professional football at the highest level in 2011 came at the youthful age of 17, when he scored twice and won a penalty in an 8-0 annihilation of the of VVSB Noordwijkerhout in the Dutch Cup. PSV would go on to win the cup the cup that season.

It didn’t take him much long to wet his feet in Eredivisie. A year later, he was strutted onto the field as a last minute substitute in a 3-2 win over Feyenoord. When given a little more time by manager Philipp Cocu, the winger went on to show what he is made. An 11-minute cameo in a 5-1 win over Heerenveen saw the youngster get his name on the scoresheet within six minutes of coming on.

#3 Winner at the international stage as well

Deemed as a “very angry” angry kid upon his first meeting at PSV, the Dutch club went on to channel his anger in a positive direction and it seems to have paid off. Memphis was called up to represent the Netherlands U-17 at the tender age of 16.

His impressive performance saw him included in the country’s 2011 European U17 Championship squad, a tournament they ended up winning. Depay, a vital member of the team, even managed to get his name on the scoresheet in the final as the Oranje beat Germany 5-2.

His career graph at the international stage seems to have taken an exponential turn in the last four years. Last year, he was one of the most impactful subs in the World Cup as his two goals and an assist proved vital in taking Louis van Gaal’s side to the last four stage.

After parading his talents for all at the World Cup last year, where he dazzled the world with his fearsome strikes and speed, PSV man has gone on to become one of the vital cogs in Gus Hiddink’s new look Dutch team. The Spaniards won’t forget his performance against them last month, especially Mr. Dani Carvajal whom he twisted and turned like a voodoo doll.

#4 A game changer, a winner and hungry for more

After announcing his arrival in last year’s World Cup, this season, the talented youth has taken another step towards superstardom. Even at the tender age of 21-year old, he has already earned comparisons with the likes of Arjen Robben and even Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, that’s high praise for anyone at that age.

2012-13 was the year of Dries Mertens at PSV and with him at the top of the pecking order, Depay had to settle in for only two starts in the season and 20 appearances in total. But he didn’t sulk or brood. He only got better and stronger.

With Mertens moving on to Napoli in the summer of 2013, in came Depay’s first opportunity to shine and shine he did. In his first season as a first-team regular last season, Depay took his opportunity with two gleeful hands. He bagged 12 goals and 7 assists in the Eredivisie last season.

Depay, much like the much famed duo that he has seen himself getting compared to, has not only speed to burn, but also has a fearsome shot, a bagful of tricks and the ability to get his head up and look for a pass. Last season, he was the league’s joint second best player for key passes per game (2.7) whilst creating 86 chances in total.

Able to play on either winger and with a keen for goal, Depay might be the next big thing.

If you are looking for attitude issues, he has one as well. But, his more of a zeal to get even better, win it all. To say the least, Memphis Depay doesn’t like losing. “I want to win every time,” he says. “If I lose, my day is ruined. When I look in the mirror I get motivated because I know I’m not yet where I want to be.”

He has the words ‘dream chaser’ tattooed on his chest. A personal mantra that's worth living for.

#5 Depay is a Real Madrid fan

If it had come to a bidding war between the superpowers of European football, Real Madrid might just have had an edge. After Madrid’s win over their fearsome rival Barcelona in their Copa del Rey Clasico semi-final in 2013, Depay had joyously tweeted “Hala Madrid!”

The presence of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United might have been a factor fro Depay’s decision to choose Manchester United for now, but we are pretty sure that an offer from Real Madrid in the future will certainly not be taken lightly by Depay.

Depay’s tweet which has been deleted

#6 Weaknesses

At the tender age of 21, it would surprising if Memphis Depay didn’t have any weaknesses. He is, after all, a human.

The biggest weakness that has been so far been noticed in his play has been his decision-making. The youthful nature and over-exuberance to reach for the stars has seen him taking a shot and go for a take-on on occasions where there were better options available. Whilst he comes out a winner in duels on 56% of the occasions and boasts a more than decent 47% shot accuracy over the last two seasons, his pass completion remains languishing in the mid-seventies.

It’s a case of both looking for the Hollywood balls as well as taking the wrong options at times.

#7 What do the experts say

"Memphis is one of the greatest talents of the Netherlands, a very passionate and ambitious guy too. If he continues his development in this way, the club is going to have a lot of fun with him around,” – PSV technical manager Marcel Brands in 2012.

“He’s doing everything to reach the top. He has a body of a true athlete, power and flair. I’m not afraid of him losing his head. His drive is huge. I like him a lot.” – PSV team-mate Stijn Schaars while talking to Helden Online.

“Depay has the potential to become Netherlands' best player. I've noticed that he has even more potential than I first thought now that I'm working with him. He is incredibly interested and keen to learn.” – Current Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink whilst talking to NOS.

“I think he is ready for the next step, and I think that he will leave,” said Cocu, quoted in Voetbal International.

“I think Memphis definitely has the potential to play for a top ten club in Europe, but I advise him first to take an intermediate step.” – Former PSV team-mate Jeremain Lens toldVoetbal International.

Southampton winger and fellow Dutch international Eljero Elia has expressed a similar sentiment. "I think it will be best for him if he stays in Eindhoven. My feeling is he should play in the Champions League for PSV,” said Elia. “In that way he would already have the experience of playing at the highest level in his locker before he makes a move at 22. PSV don't need the money and I feel Memphis also doesn't need it as he signed a nice contract recently.”