The Manchester United boss insists he is unconcerned by the winger's slow transition to the Premier League after his £25 million arrival from PSV
Louis van Gaal has revealed that he needed just 10 minutes to be convinced by Memphis Depay’s quality.
The 22-year-old joined Old Trafford in a £25 million deal from PSV last summer but has failed to replicate his stunning final season in the Eredivisie under Van Gaal.
Arguably Depay’s best performance in a United shirt came in Thursday’s 5-1 win over FC Midtjylland, and Van Gaal admits he has not been concerned by the player’s subdued start to life in the Premier League.
“The first time I saw him was in the first year for me as national coach in Holland,” said Van Gaal.
"He came into the squad to substitute for a player from PSV and he played only for 10 minutes, but I said to my colleague: ‘He is a player - he can play’.
"And then, the next year, he scored 20 goals at PSV and was the most important man for them.
"In those ten minutes I saw his purpose and his action and that gave me the conviction that he could play at the highest level.
"But he still has to improve his choices on the pitch and that's because the speed of the Premier League is much higher than in other countries.
"Of course I can help him with that. I have always defended him and I haven't despaired that we wouldn't see the real Memphis Depay.
"He needs time like every player needs time. When you analyse all the players who have come to United, they need time to adapt to the culture of England and the Premier League and I have always said that.
"Perhaps the player who hasn't needed that is Anthony Martial.
"Memphis had a fantastic match against Midtjylland but he also has to show that against Arsenal, because they are at another level.
"But I didn't give up on him - nor did I give up on Adnan Januzaj, because I recognise their quality and their talents."
- Goal