Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on Monday believes newly signed winger Memphis Depay needs more time to settle into the punishing pace of the Premier League.
“I have to be patient with Memphis and the fans also have to be patient,” Van Gaal said, a day ahead of Tuesday’s Uefa Champions League group opener against PSV Eindhoven.
“It’s not easy to adapt to the high rhythm of the Premier League,” Van Gaal said when asked about Depay’s start to life at United.
Depay was the Dutch league’s top scorer with 22 goals last season but has at times struggled since his £25 million (Dh141.7m) summer transfer to Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old Dutch international’s slow start was highlighted by the contrast with newly signed French teenager Anthony Martial’s scoring debut, against Liverpool on Saturday.
Van Gaal said Martial, as well as Depay, would need more time and hinted the Frenchman may not feature in his starting line-up.
“You can’t demand from these players, 19, 20, 21 years old, that they continue to be consistent. You have to accept that,” said Van Gaal.
The 19-year-old Martial, signed from Monaco on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £36m, stepped off the bench to score United’s third goal in a 3-1 win.
Pressure is mounting on Van Gaal to hand the youngster his first start.
The Dutch manager said of Martial: “The impression is good, but I can only say … the same for him as for Memphis: you have to give them more time and that’s what I am asking.”
Depay told reporters that donning the United jersey “is a new experience for me and I still have to improve”.
He said it will be a “special moment” to run out against his former teammates on Tuesday.
Depay should get a warm reception in the Philips Stadion, having helped PSV to a first title win in seven years last season at the club where he played for almost a decade.
Asked whether he will celebrate if he scored a goal against his former club – a frequent question in recent weeks – Depay said: “I’ll celebrate. I play for Manchester United now even though I respect PSV.”
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