Van Gaal pleads for Manchester United fans to be patient with youngsters as Memphis ebbs and flows
Dutch winger and French teenager Anthony Martial cannot be expected to deliver consistently, says manager
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has demanded patience for newly signed forward Memphis Depay to allow him to settle into the punishing pace of the Premier League.
“I have to be patient with Memphis and the fans also have to be patient,” Van Gaal told journalists at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champion’s League group opener against PSV Eindhoven.
“It’s not easy to adapt to the high rhythm of the Premier League,” said Van Gaal, when taxed about Depay’s jerky start to life at the Red Devils.
Depay – the Dutch league’s top scorer with 22 goals last season – has at times struggled since his £25 million (HK$298 million) summer transfer to Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old Dutch international’s recent blip was also highlighted by the contrast with newly signed French teenager Anthony Martial’s goalscoring debut against Liverpool on Saturday.