Memphis looks ready to become the superstar Man Utd thought they signed

The expression “world class” gets bandied about so much these days that it has started to lose its meaning, but there can be no denying Olympique Lyonnais forward Memphis Depay is in the form of his life.

It was not long ago the mercurial Dutch winger became Old Trafford’s forgotten man. His arrival in 2015, amid much fanfare following United’s successful transfer tussle with fierce rivals Liverpool , led to lofty expectations more so after he was given the club’s treasured number seven jersey.

For a culmination of reasons he never quite made the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ his own – registering seven goals and six assists in 53 competitive outings – and was subsequently bundled out early 2017.

A move too soon? Perhaps. Memphis, after all, was just 21 when he switched Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven for Louis van Gaal’s inconsistent Manchester United.

To call it a giant leap is an understatement. The pressures at both clubs are worlds apart, even if the objective is the same. So, the question is, did Memphis make the right decision for his development? One can understand why he chose United, not only because his former Oranje boss Van Gaal was in charge (and theirs is a father-son relationship), but rather the Dutchman – not lacking in confidence – is someone attracted to the bright lights and naturally felt it was his time.

The making of Memphis

Memphis, like so many across the globe, learned his trade on the streets. When making his senior debut in 2011, five years after joining PSV’s academy from Sparta Rotterdam, it quickly became apparent what type of footballer he was: an individual who meshes the classic and contemporary; a wide-forward blessed with two good feet as well as electric pace. All of this made him a defender’s nightmare.

Even so, consistency was his enemy. We often caught glimpses of his explosive power. But like an explosion, it all vanished with the moment and could not be controlled until his final season.

It was during the 2014/15 campaign, when he bagged 22 goals across 30 league outings, that folks started to admit he had outgrown the Eredivisie.

So, naturally, a trip abroad was on the cards. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but even back then many cautioned a move to United, feeling the 20-time English champions should be seen as the final destination and that he was better off moving to a competition a few rungs below the Premier League.

Ligue 1 or the Bundesliga would have been perfect, even Serie A, where a number of his compatriots are shining. The longer Memphis continued being on the fringes in England, the more likely he was to become a lost talent.

Fortunately, good sense prevailed.

The prince of Lyon

It is often said there is only one way to go when leaving the Red Devils, and that way is down. Having been dubbed a failure was not only harsh but it didn’t paint the full picture. Memphis, with his career on the line, opted for French powerhouse Lyon who looked to be building something special under their eccentric chairman Jean-Michel Aulas.

Now some, for whatever reason, look down upon Ligue 1. For impressionable youngsters, however, it is the perfect environment. No sooner had he arrived, Memphis was making an impact. His ninth outing, a home match against Toulouse, saw him register a second brace in three matches as well as the goal of the 2016/17 season. He would finish with five goals and eight assists in 17 league matches, a return foreshadowing what was to come. Though the ‘first refusal’ clause they inserted into his Lyon contract must be starting to look rather more tempting, United never saw the real Memphis. The same cannot be said for Les Gones.

Comfortable in a free role, void of any defensive responsibilities, manager Bruno Génésio unleashed him on the world last season and he’s not looked back since. The 38-time capped Dutch international bagged 19 goals across 36 Ligue 1 contests, his best return since that final PSV season, but his 13 assists was a personal best.

Memphis ended 2017/18 with 10 goals and seven assists in nine matches. He has begun this present campaign with a stunning free-kick in Lyon’s opening weekend 2-0 victory over Amiens, meaning he has played a part in 18 goals across his last 10 league appearances.

His 11 Ligue 1 goals so far in 2018 is bettered only by Marseille forward Florian Thauvin (15) and Rony Lopes (14) of Monaco. “I’m happy to be in form. I’ve never enjoyed being on the pitch as much even at Manchester United or PSV,” he told AFP afterwards.

A defining season lies ahead

Memphis’ breathtaking form saw him linked with a move to AC Milan. Nothing, of course, transpired, but that hasn’t stopped Memphis from thinking out loud. In the distant past, he has spoken about playing for Real Madrid, which must now be the dream -though whether it comes true remains to be seen.

What is certain is how important this season has become. Chances are it will be Memphis’ last in Lyon colours. He turns 25 next February, the perfect age to try his luck at one of Europe’s elite clubs. After his United misstep, he is paying his dues all over again but, more importantly, the Moordrecht-born footballer is now a far better player: more all-round, consistent and lethal. Whoever prises him away will have a superstar on their hands.

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