Magical Memphis Depay the new maestro

As far as Manchester United Champions League debuts are concerned, Wayne Rooney set the bar high with a hat-trick on his very first start for the club more than a decade ago but talented Dutchman Memphis Depay produced a performance possibly even more significant to rescue his new club in this qualifying first leg tie.

Magical Memphis Depay the new maestro

Trailing to a surprise Michael Carrick own goal after only eight minutes and threatened by an ambitious and pacy Belgian opponent, Memphis scored twice before the interval to steady United nerves although it was not until the final kick of the game, when Marouane Fellaini rose to head home past his countrymen from a Memphis cross, that the hosts could feel satisfied.

After a season without European football, failure to reach the Champions League group stages is unthinkable for United, and not only because of the estimated loss of £35 million in revenue that elimination would bring with it.

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