Manchester United have eradicated the concerns over their centre-forward chasm following the recent loan agreement with Burnley for Wout Weghorst, but could further bolster the offensive department with a move for Memphis Depay.
Depay, who plies his trade with FC Barcelona, signed for the Red Devils in 2015 for £31m after impressing with homeland outfit PSV Eindhoven across the maiden period of his professional career, but failed to alight the spark to success at Old Trafford.
Departing for French outfit Olympique Lyonnais, Depay recorded 76 goals and 55 assists before indeed earning a move to Catalonia upon the expiry of his contract, where he has since been a cog within the resurgent side. Indeed, Barca currently top the Spanish La Liga table with 41 points after 16 games.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag is mulling over instigating a transfer to sign Depay this month on a short-term basis.
Imagine Depay & Weghorst
Having only plundered seven goals and six assists from 53 appearances, the 86-cap Netherlands international might feel that he has unfinished business at the Theatre of Dreams, and if United can indeed wedge a successful bid for his signature into the Blaugrana transfer department, the cogs might fall into place.
As per FBref, the £171k-per-week Depay ranks within the top 6% of wingers and attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals, the top 1% for both progressive passes received and touches in the attacking penalty area, and the top 10% for dribbles completed – highlighting his direct pedigree when cutting inside from his favoured offensive left flank.
Should Man United re-sign Memphis Depay?
Yes!
No, not convinced
Such a dynamic offensive presence could certainly benefit the incoming Weghorst, with the countrymen perhaps bouncing off each other’s skill sets.
Weghorst, an imposing 6 foot 6 talisman, will erect a towering presence at the centre of the flourishing United frontline, but his physicality in the middle would be immensely beneficial to the likes of Depay, who could find pockets of space and inject pace and disruption into the penalty area.
And this season alone, while on loan at Turkish outfit Besiktas, the 30-year-old marksman has clinched nine goals and four assists from 18 appearances, demonstrating his creative flair that indeed could help his compatriot to flourish, who indeed will look to carry the ball across the pitch and unleash a barrage of shots himself.
Depay, the offensive “enigma” that he is, as lauded by prominent football writer Jonathan Liew, could instil an air of mystique into the United ranks, and alongside his national teammate, an innate and deadly partnership could indeed be forged at club level. Thus, Man United simply must launch a move; it would improve their offensive tenfold.
