Memphis Depay's Performance Under Pressure Gives Manchester United Hope

Louis van Gaal and Manchester United really needed a performance out of Memphis Depay.

With Anthony Martial injured and Wayne Rooney absent through illness, the Red Devils' attacking herds had been distinctly thinned.

The trip to Watford presented Memphis with a much-needed opportunity. United were a side in serious need of an impactful attacking performance. With injuries clearing a path to a first-team start in the league for the first time since the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on Oct. 4, Memphis had his chance.

He took it well. Playing in a surprising front two with Jesse Lingard, he opened the scoring after 11 minutes. It was a well-taken goal and exactly the tonic the much-criticised Dutchman needed. From then on, there was an almost tangible sense of confidence about his all-round performance.

Having made an inarguable impact on the game—thus quieting the critical voices who have attacked his fashion sense and his performances—he grew into the game and made a substantial all-round contribution. 

BT Sport's commentary team named him Man of the Match—as did statistics website WhoScored.com.

His numbers were not universally impressive; eight unstable touches is a very big number, five more than any other player on the pitch. However, he provided a key pass in addition to his goal. And of course, it was the goal that was his most telling statistical contribution.

Van Gaal clearly feels playing up front benefits Memphis. Speaking after the game he said, per the Manchester Evening News:

"

In the first half, Memphis was superb, like Jesse Lingard.

I think also this role for Memphis is the best one for him. He played it also in the World Cup for me when [Robin] Van Persie and [Arjen] Robben were injured so I knew he could do it.

Jesse also was fantastic and we have created a lot of chances thanks to those two.

"

That Memphis' performance was well-timed from a United perspective is evident. With Arsenal and Manchester City losing on Saturday, United's win was crucial in terms of momentum.

However, it is the longer-term implications that really offer hope. Watford's defensive performance may have been lacking, but Memphis' star turn showed evidence of two key things.

The first was his quality. There have been plenty who have doubted that, but given how effective he was for both PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands national team, that doubt always seemed unjust. The movement and execution of his goal and then his ongoing high-level performance gave a glimpse of the player fans have hoped to see at United.

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The second, though, was his character—his ability to deliver under pressure. Given he had played well for his country at a World Cup, perhaps that should not have come as a surprise, either. Given how the season has gone for him so far, though, it was extremely pleasing to see him step up when United needed him most.

What happens from here on out will be fascinating to see. In the long term, Memphis should gradually adapt to life at United and football in the Premier League and become an important player for the club. That is certainly the plan. The performance he put in on Saturday offered hope it may be viable.

In the short term, though, with Rooney and Martial's absences being brief affairs and Lingard maintaining his good form, where will Van Gaal play his compatriot?

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There are only four spots available for Rooney, Martial, Memphis, Lingard and Juan Mata to compete for. With Champions League and Premier League fixtures in plentiful supply, there should be enough games to go around, but Van Gaal's tendency has been to stick with in-form players rather than rotate for the sake of rotation.

It seems unthinkable Memphis will be dropped for United's next game, though. With his old club visiting Old Trafford, the youngster will want to once again show what he can do. After his confidence-boosting experience at Vicarage Road, the timing could not be better.

Advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.