Park: Memphis Can Handle The Occasion At PSV

Manchester United star Memphis Depay will have mixed emotions when he returns to PSV Eindhoven for Tuesday’s Champions League opener – but once the game kicks off, he’ll be fully focused on the task in hand.

So says former Reds winger Ji-sung Park, who played alongside Memphis during the South Korean’s second spell at PSV in 2013/14, when he experienced at first hand the flying forward’s prodigious talent. Park knows Memphis could have an important role to play for United at the Philips Stadion, both before the game as a source of information and during it as an attacking threat.

"There will be mixed feelings before the match but, when he gets out there, he’ll just do his job as a United player," Park told ManUtd.kr.

"He’s a professional player and will carry out his role in the team and try to win the game for United. If he plays well and shows his ability, even PSV's fans will appreciate that.

"He has power, pace and technique, and he’ll be important because he knows PSV better than anyone and can advise United on what to expect.

"And he’ll also be comfortable playing in the Philips Stadion because he played there for several years. So he’s one of the guys who can make an impact on the game."

Park feels United will start the game as favourites but warned Louis van Gaal’s side to be wary of PSV’s youthful energy, as well as a vociferous home crowd.

"PSV are still a young team – they have many talented players but not much experience of Champions League football," Park continued.

"They proved themselves last season by winning the league but lost two big players this summer, with Memphis coming to United and the captain, Georginio Wijnaldum, going to Newcastle.

"But they have a lot of energy and are very good technically. They like to control the game. I think United are stronger but it will be a good match.

"It’s difficult to play at the Philips Stadion. It’s not a big arena like Old Trafford but the fans’ energy is high and their support lifts the team. But United just have to focus on the football.

"These two teams are very special for me and I hope they both get through the group, but I think United have a better chance of winning this game."