Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has backed Memphis Depay to succeed at the club despite being handed the pressured number seven jersey in his first season.
Depay, 21, was given the shirt after the departure of Angel Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain and now the winger has big boots to fill after the history of the iconic shirt.
Many big names have come and gone from the club but most of the successful have worn the seven jersey which is something Depay can make his for many years to come. The former PSV Eindhoven man is exciting and he brings pace, goals and assists to the side.
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However, it is a big step up from playing in the Dutch league and pressure is on him to deliver. Depay wants to deliver though and that could be key between him being an average player and a great player at the club. And Robson, who won many trophies during his time at the club, has backed the young Dutch winger to perform in the famous jersey after signing this summer for around £25 million.
"“I think he’s a confident lad,” said the former Reds skipper, as reported by ManUtd.com.“He’s got great ability and great pace. So I don’t think that’s going to be a hassle to him, otherwise he wouldn’t have accepted the no.7 shirt as soon as it was offered to him.“I think if he had a problem, mentally, handling the pressure that comes with the no.7 shirt, he would have said ‘no’ and asked for another number. So I’m sure and would hope he will enjoy playing for Manchester United, relax and play in the way he wants to play.“Memphis is only a young lad so it’s going to take a little bit of time for him to settle down. It looks like he’s got great attributes and he could do really well for us.”"
Depay started in the number 10 role for United against Spurs on the opening day and struggled – however he is a natural winger with his favoured position cutting in from the left.
That is currently being occupied by Ashley Young and boss Louis van Gaal has urged the 21 year-old to adapt. It is expected that Depay will again start behind Wayne Rooney when the Red Devils face Aston Villa but it will be another chance for him to shine.
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Both sides are expected to attack and Robson feels that could benefit Van Gaal’s men.
"“Villa are a little bit the same as ourselves as they had six new players who played at the weekend,” added the Old Trafford hero. “It was a good result for them. I saw it on Match of the Day and Bournemouth gave them a good game and had a few chances that they missed.“Villa got the goal and won the game to take the three points but Villa Park is always a terrific ground for us and I’m expecting us to go there and get something out of the game.“I just felt the first home game at Old Trafford meant there were a bit of nerves on Saturday. It was a really warm day and a lot of safety in the way that we played the game. So it wasn’t as exciting as it usually is against Tottenham, with end-to-end football and lots of goals.“With it being Villa’s first home game, they will come out really attacking against us, which I think opens it up for Rooney and Memphis. I think we’ll see the best of Memphis in this game if he gets the space to be able to run at defenders one on one.”"
United face Villa before taking on Club Brugge in the first leg of the Champions League play-off rounds.