Manchester // As the watching Alex Ferguson can testify, Manchester United have a long history of making things difficult for themselves.
They did so once more, but they should soon be rubbing shoulders with Europe’s finest again. For that, they can thank one of the continent’s most coveted talents. And, sadly for Club Brugge, a Belgian.
As their 496-day exile from the Uefa Champions League ended, it was with a memorable, match-winning performance from Memphis Depay, who spurned the advances of Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool to join United in the summer. There is nothing quite like the promise of youth to herald a new era, and Depay and Adnan Januzaj, 21 and 20 respectively, showcased their talent as Club Brugge were beaten.
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Yet if United enter next week’s second leg with optimism, it will be thanks in part to Marouane Fellaini’s injury-time header to change the complexion of the tie with his countrymen.
The return fixture should not a less fraught affair than was threatened, and it would rank as a disastrous result if United were eliminated. The turnaround last night came courtesy of Depay, who turned an early deficit into a first-leg advantage as he opened his United account with a superbly-taken pair of goals. He was the Eredivisie’s 22-goal top scorer last season. In two instants of brilliance, the £25 million (Dh143.8m) winger offered evidence why.
First, he flicked the ball over a defender, chested it down and produced a clinical finish, giving Sebastien Bruzzese no chance. Then he whipped in a shot from the edge of the area.
It is notable how much more dangerous the Dutchman has looked since Louis van Gaal abandoned his experiment of playing him as a No 10. Depay should have scored more, squaring the ball when he ought to have shot and ballooning an effort after a clever backheel by Wayne Rooney.
The United captain also had an overhead kick cleared off the line by Victor Vazquez. It qualified as his first shot on target this season and, while mixed, his was an improved display but his search for a goal continues.
Meanwhile, United’s trident of attacking midfielders offered more invention and incision than they had against Tottenham Hotspur or Aston Villa. Januzaj followed his winner at Villa with arguably his most assured display since his breakthrough season. His confidence showed in the tricks he tried.
It meant that, Depay apart, the best player on show was a Belgian, but in United red. His prominence illustrated the problems facing clubs such as Brugge nowadays. They were European Cup finalists in 1978, but now 10 Belgium internationals ply their trade within a 35-mile radius of Old Trafford. One of them, Fellaini, scored after replacing Rooney as United opted for a late bombardment.
Michel Preud’homme’s side ended with 10 men, after Brandon Mechele collected two cautions, but acquitted themselves well. If their goal came with more than a hint of fortune, other attacks suggested they have the potential to cause problems aplenty on their own turf. United scarcely looked secure enough defensively and allowed Brugge to score a potentially invaluable away goal.
While United began vibrantly, they were soon behind. Vazquez delivered a low free kick and Michael Carrick’s attempt to cut it out backfired when he merely deflected the ball past a wrong-footed Sergio Romero.
It was the first goal the Argentine conceded in his United career and capped an unfortunate evening for Carrick who kept misjudging passes. He did not re-emerge for the second half, when Bastian Schweinsteiger took his place. It was scarcely surprising.
Manchester United 3 Brugge 1
Manchester United Depay 13', 43', Fellanini 90+3'
Brugge Carrick (og) 8'
Man of the match Memphis Depay (United)
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