Memphis Depay double gives Manchester United play-off edge

Manchester: Memphis Depay announced himself to Old Trafford with two stylish goals as Manchester United came from behind to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in Tuesday’s Champions League play-off first leg.

 

Bidding to reach the group phase after a first season out of the competition in 19 years, United fell behind to an early Michael Carrick own goal, only for Depay to turn the game around before half-time with a pair of brilliant strikes.

 

Brandon Mechele was sent off for the visitors in the second half, but it was not until stoppage time, when substitute Marouane Fellaini converted a cross from Depay, that Louis van Gaal’s side truly took control of the tie, which concludes in Bruges next week.

 

It had been 504 days since Old Trafford last hosted a Champions League game and there was a tangible sense of anticipation in the air as United made a vibrant start to the game.

 

But it was the hordes in blue and black in the East Stand who were the first to leap from their seats as Club Brugge took a shock eighth-minute lead — Carrick shinning it past his own goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, from 16 yards.

 

It was the first goal United had conceded this season, but they were level within five minutes as Depay opened his account for the club in style. Picked out by Carrick’s pass, the Dutchman chested the ball up and flicked it over a defender’s head before tiptoeing into the box and arrowing a right-foot strike into the bottom-right corner.

 

Old Trafford erupted and although Romero was required to field a volley from Dion Cools, United would not be sated. Wayne Rooney had a volley hooked off the line by Vazquez and Depay squandered a one-on-one by trying to find Januzaj, only to overcook his pass, before warming Sebastien Bruzzese’s palms from range.

 

In the 43rd minute, the hosts went ahead courtesy of another fine strike from Depay. This time the 21-year-old cut inside his marker wide on the left and arced a glorious shot inside the right-hand post from the corner of the box.

 

It was the first indication that the Dutch winger, a £25 million signing from PSV Eindhoven, might have what it takes to take on the mantle of feted former United number sevens such as George Best, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

But for long periods of the second half it looked like United would fail to build on their lead. The Dutchman then spurned a chance to complete his hat-trick in picture-book fashion, hoisting the ball into the Stretford End after Rooney had nudged Luke Shaw’s pass into his stride with a delicious back-heel.