Manchester: English club Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said he wanted to kiss Memphis Depay after seeing him score a brace in a 3-1 Champions League play-off win against Belgian side Club Brugge.
The Dutchman scored two terrific goals on Tuesday night at home to give the hosts a good cushion to take into next week’s second leg in Belgium. And Van Gaal was overjoyed to see his compatriot score his first and second goals in only his third appearance for his new club. I want to kiss him tonight. I’m very happy for him because a player needs that,” Van Gaal was quoted as saying by skysports.com after the match on Tuesday.
Midfielder Michael Carrick’s early own goal had initially put the away side in front but Depay struck quickly to turn the game on its head with two excellent efforts. Midfielder Marouane Fellaini then added a third in injury time to leave the side from his home country with a bigger deficit to make up. Depay was ecstatic at having opened his account for Man United. “Hopefully he shall continue to score. I have confidence in him. He showed what he can do tonight. He scored two goals and got the assist for the other,” he said.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m happy that I scored – and of course I’m happy that we won, but I must admit I’m a bit disappointed because I could have scored the last two chances and got a hat-trick. The manager was happy to hear Memphis was not entirely content and said, “When you score two goals and the assist also, normally in the world you are the hero. Van Gaal is confident of seeing United into the group phase after the return leg and praised star striker Wayne Rooney’s contribution after recent criticism of his performances.
