How Twitter Reacted to Manchester Utd's Memphis-Inspired Champions League Win

Before Tuesday evening, it had been nearly 17 months since Manchester United last played a Champions League game at Old Trafford, a 3-1 defeat at the hands of a rampant Bayern Munich. After a longer-than-desired absence from Europe's premier domestic competition, the Red Devils welcomed Belgium's Club Brugge for the first leg of their qualification play-off: 

United's fans were excited to be back in the (play-off leading to the) spotlight, even if some of them weren't too familiar with the task ahead:

Despite the visitors' apparent anonymity, United fans seemed confident of victory:

"

Hope United can do a job on Club Brugge tonight, if they can't beat a team like that they don't deserve to be in the UCL #MUFC #GGMU

— Lee ⭐⭐⭐ (@White_Dog_81) August 18, 2015"

Brugge were suffering an injury crisis, they had failed to win any of their previous 11 games in England, and they haven't made it to the Champions League group stage in a decade (as per the Guardian). Yet the travelling fans clearly brought the banter:

Following his disappointing outing at Villa Park last Friday, there was much pre-match discussion about Wayne Rooney:

"

Fancy Rooney to shut up all the haters (including me) today he usually shows up when the chips are down. #MUFC

— Martin Maclean (@Martsmac) August 18, 2015"

Mr Rooney had a chance to open the scoring within seconds of kick-off, but to the surprise of most, it was Brugge who went ahead in the eighth minute when Michael Carrick turned a free-kick into his own net:

However, Carrick didn't take very long to redeem himself and save United's blushes. Within five minutes, he had sent a superb pass in the direction of Memphis Depay, who put away the equaliser with style:

"

Depay is class. Fantastic business bringing him for #mufc - not only now, but for the long term too. Will be one of the best in a few years.

— Nozrul Ahmed (@NozzAhmed) August 18, 2015"

"

BREAKING: Brugge launch complaint to UEFA that Memphis Depay has just disrespected them.

— Danny (@18991872_) August 18, 2015"

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Adnan Januzaj appealed for a penalty when he hit the deck after a challenge from Oscar Duarte. The referee ignored the protestation and appeared to have stern words with the Belgian international afterwards: 

"

Januzaj needs to strengthen up! Far too weak and gets pushed off ball constantly.

— Jake Johnson (@JakeDJohnson) August 18, 2015"

"

Januzaj need to hit the gym with Depay

— ☜═㋡ J!M (◣﹏◢) (@_JMOxQ) August 18, 2015"

A few minutes before the half-time whistle, Memphis added to his growing golazo collection with a beautiful curling strike from outside the area. Understandably, the Internet was quite impressed:

"

Memphis Depay right now. http://t.co/nWyR6JWQMY

— Football Vines (@FootballVines) August 18, 2015"

"

Liverpool fans watching Memphis Depay be like.. pic.twitter.com/xSVhNhbnzj

— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) August 18, 2015"

"

It's been so long since we've been put on the edge of our seats from a player. Ever since Ronaldo before he left. Thank god for Memphis!

— Karansp (@Karansp98) August 18, 2015"

Of course, there was some obligatory scorn directed at the Dutchman:

"

MEMPHIS SCORES A FEW AGAINST SOME TWO-BIT BELGIAN TEAM AND SUDDENLY HE'S GARRINCHA INCARNATE AM I RIGHT

— PhantomGoal (@PhantomGoal) August 18, 2015"

"

I am Memphis  pic.twitter.com/jZE8jgmgoE

— AmiGo (@AmvGo) August 18, 2015"

"

United fans like: Nani : Next Ronaldo Valencia : Next Ronaldo Januzaj : Next Ronaldo DiMaria : Next Ronaldo Now Depay : Next Ronaldo

— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) August 18, 2015"

And there was plenty of comment passed about Depay's choice of goal celebration:

"

Memphis can't even whip properly what a fraud

— Luca (@EICrisco) August 18, 2015"

In spite of the hate and extensive dance analysis, Memphis was clearly having a good night. Well, a much better night than BT Sports commentator Michael Owen:

"

Michael Owen says you don't want to play with fire against Manchester United. You never want to play with fire, Michael.

— Alexander Netherton (@lxndrnthrtn) August 18, 2015"

As the second half progressed, there wasn't too much action to report on, save for Brugge's Brandon Mechele earning a second yellow for chopping down Javier Hernandez. The Mexican forward played the No. 9 role and Rooney moved back—a change that was clearly welcomed:

"

Chicharito has done more in 5 mins on the field than Rooney has in 3 games.

— Topher (@Chrisposure) August 18, 2015"

Rooney was eventually replaced by Marouane Fellaini, who threatened to give United a healthier aggregate scoreline on several occasions before finally nodding one in with the last touch of the game:

"

Fellaini doing more in 7 minutes than Rooney has in 180 minutes of football.

— Manas (@ScholesEsque) August 18, 2015"

"

Marouane @Fellaini is the perfect Plan B player.

— Woodward Time (@Scholesy_Giggsy) August 18, 2015"

Fellaini ended the game as a hero, but clearly the evening belonged to Memphis Depay. Enjoy him while you can, United fans—looks like he's caught someone else's attention...

"

.@Memphis See you soon. pic.twitter.com/9H5AmHlE2Z

— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) August 18, 2015"