Van Gaal Reveals Plan For Depay Development

Memphis Depay has been signed by Manchester United because of his immeasurable natural talent, according to Louis van Gaal, although the manager has warned Reds supporters not to expect too much too soon from the highly-rated Netherlands international.

After passing his medical on Monday, Depay will complete his move to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven when the summer transfer window opens on 1 July and the 21-year-old forward will arrive with a reputation as one of the most exciting prospects in European football, having scored twice at the World Cup in Brazil before netting 25 goals in all competitions this season.

Most recently, the Dutchman claimed the Eredivisie’s top goalscorer award and became the youngest player to win the Golden Boot since legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo bagged 30 goals for PSV in 1994/95.

All of this has prompted much excitement among United fans, who are looking forward to watching Depay in action at the beginning of the next campaign. But, writing in his United Review programme notes on Sunday, the manager tempered expectations and called for patience.

“Youth is very important to this club and is a very big part of my philosophy as a manager," van Gaal wrote. "We have a number of young players in our first-team squad who have benefitted from experiencing first-team football this season and that will help their development going into next season.

“Memphis Depay [is] a young player who has come through the PSV Eindhoven academy system," the boss continued. "I worked with Memphis during last summer’s World Cup with the Netherlands and he has great potential.

"The plan is to help him develop as a player, but we must all be patient. The Premier League is very different from any other league and it will take time for him to fully adapt to the pace and unforgiving nature of football in this country.”

Van Gaal has also paid tribute to the United fans and the way they have supported his team through thick and thin this season, particularly after suffering disappointing defeats in the league and both domestic cup competitions, something the manager has not experienced before.

“I have been asked recently what has been the biggest highlight of my first season as manager of Manchester United and the answer is always the same – the support of the fans. For me, it is unbelievable and something I have not experienced at the other clubs I have managed.

“From the very first match, which we lost at home against Swansea City, the support has been fantastic. I really wasn’t looking forward to the reception I thought I was going to receive at the match against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford after the September international break.

“We’d had a poor run of results, including being knocked out of the Capital One Cup in our first match of the competition but, to my surprise, when I walked down the touchline I could not have imagined the support and belief that the fans were showing me and my players. That has continued throughout the season – the supporters have been absolutely first class.”