Memphis Depay Aims to Be 'One of the Best Players in World' at Manchester United

LONDON — Wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Slay your next giant,” it was hard to avoid the sense that Memphis Depay was trying to send a message on his first visit to England as a Manchester United player

With a huge tattoo of the word “Dreamchaser” long emblazoned across his chest, the 21-year-old has never been afraid to set himself lofty ambitions—confident he has the talent and dedication to achieve them.

After reaching his goals (in more ways than one) last season, winning the Dutch title with PSV Eindhoven and on course to finish as the league’s top scorer, United’s new £25 million forward has already raised his sights even higher as he prepares for life in the Premier League.

“I believe I can be one of the best players in the world,” Depay said, at the launch of Under Armour’s new Speedform football boots on Wednesday. “I am very excited (about the future). I always dreamed about the Premier League.

“But it is not the end of the dream. I am just getting started.”

The move will see Depay reunite with United manager Louis van Gaal, a man who helped kick the young forward's career into a higher gear after taking the youngster to the 2014 World Cup as part of the Netherlands squad that ultimately reached the semi-finals.

Depay has previously spoken about Van Gaal’s ability to keep challenging him, something that he hopes will ensure he continues to improve over the coming seasons.

“He’s very different to other trainers,” Depay said. “He told me to stay hungry. I set myself goals and (last season) I managed to achieve them. It’s great to have the opportunity to play for him. I believe in myself, that I can be a big player in the Premier League.”

Natacha Pisarenko/Associated Press

Depay, a winger seemingly equally comfortable playing as a striker, has already been compared by some observers to Cristiano Ronaldo, a player he admits is something of an idol—and one he has tried to model elements of his game on.

“I’m 21 and I hope one day I can reach that level,” the Dutchman said. “He is a big player for me—he scores so many goals, and I want to be like that, so I have to keep working."

As for his long-term position, he added: “I like my position on the left, but I can play on the right or in the middle. I feel free on the left, but PSV gave me the freedom to move inside—that is my preferred position.”

Depay has a few months to settle in before he has to worry about making his competitive debut for United, but he is already acutely aware that he will be judged almost instantly by the number of goals he provides at Old Trafford.

“The stats don’t lie,” he acknowledged. “I want to play every game as good as possible … but scoring goals is the job. Scoring goals and giving assists is important. I think it is 60 percent of the judgement of players.

"If I don't score goals or give assists, then I am not doing my job.”

Van Gaal seemed to express a certain amount of displeasure when discussing Depay’s transfer last week, revealing that he would have preferred to wait until the end of the season but had felt compelled to step in after Paris Saint-Germain were on the verge of signing the player instead.

Depay also had the chance to leave PSV for a bigger European side last season, but he believes everything worked out perfectly for him in the end.

“I made the choice with my manager and the people around me,” Depay said. “I think it was a good choice—we became champions, and with a game left I can become top scorer. It was a good choice, I think.”

Under Armour athlete Memphis Depay unveils the new SpeedForm CRM football boot. To learn how the boot is redefining speed on the football pitch, visit www.underarmour.com.