The National's Sport cover for the Wednesday, August 19 issue, featuring Memphis Depay as Manchester United took a commanding 3-1 advantage over Club Brugge in the Champions League play-off round.
Depay struck twice and set up the crucial third goal for Marouane Fellaini in showing he can be the elite match-winning talent United lacked at times last season.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
