COMMENT: Marcus Rashford wouldn't be where he is today without Memphis Depay...
There you go. It's been said. In the week the backpages have been screaming headlines claiming Memphis is already set for the scrapheap. That Manchester United are hawking the Dutchman around the country, desperate to find someone to take him off their hands. We do need reminding of that performance against Arsenal in February.
Yeah, Rashford was the story. Two goals on his Premier League debut. The man-of-the-match gong. And three points for a patched-up United team against an Arsenal that had pundits climbing over eachother to declare champions-elect.
But as much as Rashford's brace, the reason for that famous 3-2 win was the performance of Memphis. Over the 90 minutes, he proved himself genuine Manchester United class. No, we're not talking the LVG era, but what Harry Redknapp was claiming this week (though his attack on Jesse Lingard was a bit rough). Memphis, on the day, showed all the ability - and maturity - of a Sir Alex Ferguson player.
Before then, there had been glimpses. The hat-trick against Club Brugge. The goalscoring performance as a striker at Watford. But that's all it was: glimpses. The hype machine went into overdrive after the Brugge game. The best No7 since Cristiano Ronaldo? But this was Club Brugge, not Real Madrid. Against Watford, we even had Louis van Gaal claiming Memphis' future could be as a striker - though Anthony Martial isn't a natural for the role, apparently...
It's been extremes for Memphis. But those two games, while he was effective, really didn't offer the type of consistent showing that he displayed against Arsenal.
United were down to the bare bones, particularly in attack. Begrudgingly, Van Gaal went with Memphis alongside Rashford, fresh from his brace against Midtjylland. In a game, up to that day, which marked the best of the Van Gaal era, Memphis was the most influential player on the pitch.
He ran at defenders. He worked the goalkeeper. But we'd seen all this before. What was different was his hold-up play. When Arsenal were attacking United, with wave after wave, Memphis was always available as an outlet to give his teammates a breather. Whether it was on a flank, or through the middle, Memphis was there, with his back to goal ready to protect possession. The opposition couldn't get the ball off him. It was Mark Hughes-type stuff and a side of Memphis we'd never seen. He'd just turned 22, but against theArsenal, Memphis thrived with the responsibility of being the senior player in attack. It was his contribution. The maturity he showed. That had the biggest influence on that result. Rashford grabbed the goals, but without Memphis' overall performance, Arsenal would've nicked at least a point - if not all three.
Now, one game doesn't make a season. And Memphis has been a let down. But, again, we're talking about a 22 year-old, playing his first season in the most unique and demanding competition in the world. Lingard will be 24 this year. So the idea that United are now actively seeking to sell simply doesn't make sense. And why? Because it's not supposed to...
Claims of Memphis being offered to Southampton for Sadio Mane. Or West Ham and Liverpool being encouraged to bid are actually coming from the club. This isn't a player driven story. Memphis wants to stay. He's desperate to do so. The paper talk is being driven from the club's side. Not to drum up business, but instead to convince Memphis to wind his neck in.
The garish clothes. The ridiculously priced motors. It's not the United Way. And the hype around all these trappings has become an increasing concern for United's coaching staff. Those reports of Ryan Giggs washing his hands of Memphis, while dramatic, were another strategic leak warning that this isn't how it works at United.
You wonder if Giggs had a word with Juan Mata before his brutally honest interview on Spanish TV last Sunday, with the United midfielder openly discussing young teammates and their "rock n' roll" fantasies.
There's no question about Memphis' lifestyle. Tribalfootball.com has been informed that he can be seen pounding the pavement around Cheshire every week. Even on matchday, if he hasn't played, Memphis takes out his frustration by going for a run, solo, after the day's duties are over.
But the clothes and cars promote distraction. It's something United's management have had plenty of experience with. And they're trying to nip it in the bud. At the moment, there's a belief, both inside Carrington and Zeist, that Memphis reckons he can have it all.
Maybe at another club, but not Manchester United. Every public appearance is scrutinised. Every word, every gesture poured over by those working in the front and backpages of the British press. And the scrutiny doesn't stop at his silly green shoes. He's representing the biggest club in the world. What Memphis does. What he wears. It also reflects on the club. As frivolous as Memphis feels this all is, it's clear by the soundings through the press, management doesn't agree. And in such a stand-off, there will only be one winner.
Memphis has the talent to be a Manchester United player. He proved as much on that sunny day in February. It'd be a real shame if it was all thrown away because he refused to leave his gawdy hats at home.
INJURY TIME
No matter what happens this summer, there's no chance of an Eredivisie return for Memphis Depay. The former PSV Eindhoven ace this week put up for sale his apartment in Rotterdam.
Memphis is also seeking a buyer for his Eindhoven home, though is hanging onto a third property in Overijssel.
But all signs are that Memphis is putting down roots in England. He currently rents a property in Cheshire from United favourite Phil Neville.
