Memphis Depay featured for Manchester United’s under-21 side last night.
Memphis Depay took plenty of flak on Sunday as Manchester United drew 1-1 at Chelsea.
The Dutchman was a late substitute and his only contribution was to give the ball away, which led to Diego Costa’s stoppage time equaliser.
It was a low point of an underwhelming season for the winger, but he got a chance to get straight back to action by being selected in the under-21 side.
This could be construed as a punishment of sorts by manager Louis van Gaal, but the simple fact is that the winger needs game time.
The under-21 game with Norwich City at Old Trafford was an ideal chance for Depay to rebuild his confidence, and instead of sulking, he seized the opportunity.
Depay provided three assists in a 7-0 win, in which striker Will Keane scored five of the goals.
United lined up a strong side which also included Sergio Romero, Phil Jones and Adnan Januzaj, but Depay’s skill was eye catching.
His performance makes this somewhat of a managerial masterstroke by Van Gaal, who will suddenly have an eager, confident Depay as opposed to a negative and sulking player feeling sorry for himself after Stamford Bridge.
Now he needs to show he can produce at the weekend away at Sunderland.
Here is a look at how United fans reacted to his inclusion in the under-21 side, and performance…
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