Memphis Depay's Big-Game Quality Questioned by Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy does not believe Memphis Depay is quite ready to play a game-changing role for the Red Devils in the biggest matches.

However, the former Dutch striker has backed Memphis to eventually emulate Old Trafford's great No. 7s despite having struggled early in his United career following his summer move from PSV Eindhoven.

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Currently the assistant manager for the Dutch national team, Van Nistelrooy has worked closely with Memphis on several occasions and he believes the 21-year-old will make good on his enormous potential, per Sky Sports:

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Memphis has the quality and ability to replicate United's famous number sevens. To make a difference at United means being really brilliant and being decisive in big games. He is not yet ready for that quite yet. He will rise again. He will become better and more influential. He is really eager to learn.

When he is with the national team, I have worked very closely with him. We watch his video clips a lot and closely analyse what he can do better and improve upon. As a coach, I always look to accentuate positives to make his strong points even better. He will get there, I'm sure.

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Memphis was handed the No. 7 shirt at United upon his arrival, prompting immediate comparisons with it's former wearers such as Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and George Best.

The forward has thus far underwhelmed for the Red Devils, but he did return to the starting XI to score in their latest Premier League outing against Watford, a 2-1 victory.

He received the man-of-the-match award after a very encouraging display in his first start since early October, per BT Sport Football:

The Dutch winger's performance at Vicarage Road was one of a handful of indicators that he could yet become a great player despite his inconsistencies—his early Champions League performances were also very encouraging.

Memphis' 22-goal season in the Eredivisie in 2014-15 was enough to earn him a move to one of the world's biggest clubs, but it was always going to take him time to adjust to the Premier League.

He has shown enough glimpses to encourage the United faithful as to his potential, and Van Nistelrooy's comments will likely come across as both supportive and challenging for Memphis.

The Red Devils host PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday before a visit to table-topping Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend.

Memphis should have the opportunity to prove Van Nistelrooy wrong by putting in a pair of performances worthy of the No. 7 shirt.