The summer's first big transfer domino has fallen, and Manchester United are the ones that tipped it over. Dutch winger Memphis Depay isn't waiting to make sure the Red Devils don't fall apart and miss Champions League, having already decided to go to Old Trafford. PSV Eindhoven announced his transfer on Thursday.
Memphis Depay gives Manchester United something they don’t have
It’s not easy to judge 21-year-olds from the Eredivise, but Depay looks like a great signing.
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OFFICIAL: PSV has reached an agreement with Manchester United for the transfer of Memphis. #psv #memphis @ManUtd
— PSV (English) (@psveindhoven) May 7, 2015 According to the Guardian, United will pay £22 million for Depay. Given the recent inflation of transfer fees, Depay’s age and his recent production, it’s a fee that seems fair to both sides.
Depay had a solid season for PSV last year, scoring 12 league goals and 14 in all competitions, but he started to catch the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs with his performance for the Netherlands at the World Cup. A handful of teams tried to sign him, but Depay and PSV decided he’d stick around for another year.
That appears to have been an excellent decision, as Depay will go to a bigger club on bigger wages than he would have last summer.
Depay has been PSV’s best player this season, scoring 21 goals in the Eredivisie -- best in the league -- along with six in European competition. He’s just 21 years old and his numbers have gotten better any season, so Depay should improve further.
That doesn’t mean there are no risks involved here for United. Depay’s stats are probably inflated a bit by the quality of his teammates to the rest of the league. PSV leads Ajax by 14 points in the Eredivisie, and Depay’s teammate Luuk de Jong is the division’s second-top scorer. Midfield Giorgino Wijnaldum also has 13 goals, better than any Ajax player. Depay’s a huge part of PSV’s dominance, but they’re helping to prop him up a bit as well. Depay’s Netherlands performances also haven’t been great since the World Cup, and the Oranje are struggling in Euro 2016 qualifying.
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Depay's probably worth the risk for United, though, and the biggest reason is that he gives them something they don't have. United don't have great pure wingers and have been forced to play attacking midfielders out of position on the rare occasion they've actually used wingers. Ashley Young has had a great season, but he doesn't really give United goals -- he has two in 27 games. Having a winger who cuts in from the right and scores gives United's attack a new element.
While Depay will expected to contribute next year, he’ll probably need some time to fully adjust to the Premier League, Champions League and a properly huge club. Don’t judge him too harshly until his second year in red.
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