Ryan Giggs hoping for free-kick tally from Manchester United’s Memphis Depay next season

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The Manchester United assistant manager has also described the winger as a ‘United type of player’.

Ryan Giggs has set new signing Memphis Depay the target of scoring at least 10 goals next season, in an interview with the Sunday Times.

The Dutch winger completed his move from PSV last month and was manager Louis van Gaal’s first signing of what is expected to be a busy transfer window.

His arrival at Old Trafford is eagerly anticipated after his impressive title winning season in the Eredivisie last year, and now assistant manager Giggs has set him an interesting target ahead of next season.

“One thing we probably have lacked since Cristiano – and Becks before him – is free-kicks,” he told the Sunday Times.

“And it looks like Depay has a great track record from free-kicks as well. Over a season, if you can score more from free-kicks and corners it adds up and makes a real difference in winning games. So, no pressure… but hopefully he’ll score 10 free-kicks every year.”

The Welshman also believes that Depay is the type of player that Manchester United fans will warm to once he arrives.

The youngster’s performances for PSV were certainly of high quality last season as he netted 25 times in all competitions, with comparisons now being made between him and Giggs.

And the Old Trafford number two says there’s substance behind the talent.

“[Depay] is the kind Old Trafford will warm to,” he added.

“He’s an exciting player, but there’s also substance behind it. He’s a ‘United’ type. Our fans demand exciting players, players who can get them off their seats and score spectacular goals.”

An interesting challenge

The challenge of scoring free kicks is certainly an interesting one from Giggs, who is not wrong in what he says.

The ability to turn set pieces into goals is certainly a useful one, with the tightest of games sometimes resting on a piece of magic from an individual player and those added points likely to make a difference come the end of the season.

While Louis van Gaal will be hoping that his team don’t need to rely on that for a potential title challenge next season, it will certainly be a comfort knowing someone in his squad has the ability to turn a game on its head should it be needed.