Hero: I want to kiss him, Van Gaal on Memphis Depay

“I am a little bit disappointed [about missing out on a hat-trick] and I will forget about it tomorrow but tonight I will think about that last chance“.

Van Gaal said: “I want to kiss him tonight because when you score two goals and have an assist then normally in the world you are the hero“. Yet after two league fixtures, Memphis had yet to score for his new club (despite some promising chances and near misses), and, football journalism being what it is, there was a lot of concern trolling in recent days about whether he’d eventually come good.

He added: “It’s a fantastic win today, [but] we have to be careful in Brugge but we have the quality to win there as well. Now we have to finish the job”.

It was a step up in performance from the young Dutch winger, but how is he comparing to the rest of Louis van Gaal’s summer signings?

He said: “I am very happy for Memphis because a player needs that”.

United, a three-time European champion, is looking to get back into the Champions League after failing to qualify for the competition last season. It is not a simple opponent.

The Belgians made life uncomfortable for United and Carrick had the home fans in a panic after just eight minutes.

In attempt to clear Victor Vazquez’s free kick in the eighth minute, Carrick conceded an own goal.

The Valencia coach played alongside Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo before he left United to join Everton in 2004. And no wonder as he had long balls pinged onto his head while he tried to fend off two central defenders. Referee Deniz Aytekin had the whistle in his mouth when he allowed United to complete their attack towards the Stretford End.

“There was a lot of criticism [beforehand] that we never shoot on goal and we do not create chances”.

Januzaj could have had a penalty when he was barged over and Depay had a shot saved. On the other side, Luke Shaw looks like a different player. About two minutes before the interval, Depay scored his second of the evening and gave the commanding lead to his team.

Brandon Mechele was sent off for the visitors in the second half, but it was not until stoppage time, when substitute Marouane Fellaini converted a cross from Depay, that Louis van Gaal’s side truly took control of the tie, which concludes in Bruges next week.