Dutch striker of Ghanaian descent Memphis Depay has said he is “on fire” at the moment and that working with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United was a prime attraction in agreeing to join from PSV Eindhoven this summer.
Memphis Depay has said he is “on fire” at the moment and that working with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United was a prime attraction in agreeing to join from PSV Eindhoven this summer.
United will sign Depay for around £25m in the close season, subject to a medical, and the winger, whose 25 goals made him PSV’s highest scorer as the club won the Eredivisie, believes his form has never been better.
“My dreams started with going to the World Cup [last summer] and then when I was there I scored two goals – becoming the youngest ever Dutch goalscorer – and I was very happy,” said the 21-year-old, who flew to London on Wednesday for promotional work.
“But when the World Cup was finished I realised that was not it. I had to take more on to the pitch. So after the World Cup in pre-season I spoke to my manager and said I have to keep focused. Scoring in the World Cup was good but not the end of it. Now I am on fire.”
Of Van Gaal, who was Holland’s coach at Brazil 2014, Depay said: “He is different. His performance on the training ground is different from other trainers. After the World Cup he told me to stay hungry and I told myself to stay hungry. When I made the decision to stay [at PSV] I wanted to be champion and top scorer. I set those goals and I hope to achieve them. It will be great to have an opportunity to train with him and work with him.
“I want to improve myself but Dutch players have played also in the Premier League and I spoke with many of them. I believe I can be a big player in the Premier League. I am very excited. I was always reading about the Premier League. It has been a big dream and one that came true. But it is not the end of the dream, it is just starting.”
Depay again stated he wants to be the world’s best footballer. “‘Dream chaser’ stands for me chasing my dreams,” he said of the tattoo on his chest. “I believe I can be one of the best players in the world and I have to dream and believe to achieve. You just have to work every day on your dreams.”
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