Van Gaal wanted to ‘kiss’ Memphis after Bruges brace

Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini, middle, is congratulated after scoring against Brugge during the Champions League play-off round, first leg soccer match between Manchester United and Club Brugge at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Tuesday, August 18, 2015. And while Marouane Fellaini wrapped up the game in spectacular fashion with a powerful header right at the death, van Gaal highlighted the excellence of Depay.

Van Gaal acknowledged his compatriot’s hunger to succeed. Depay’s whipped cross for Fellaini’s header in the fourth minute of injury time – when Bruges was down to 10 men after Brandon Mechele’s 80th-minute red card – was just as impressive and might be even more important.

Fitting in at @ManUtd like a Frenchman with his collars up! “It is still a game, but because of the last goal we now have more confidence”. The Dutchman cut through Brugges’ defence with his speed from the first whistle.

His goals, in the 13th and 43rd minutes, came after picking up the ball outside the penalty area. His days as a No. 10 look to be over.

The biggest concern for Van Gaal must be that Rooney is showing only brief flashes of his old self now he has been entrusted to lead the line.

Van Gaal’s opposite number Michel Preud’homme was aware of the threat Fellaini would pose long before kick-off. He just put that on a six-pence.

Van Gaal was pleased United earned a two-goal cushion ahead of next week’s return leg in Belgium and thought the scoreline was a fair reflection of their dominance.

“It (Fellaini’s goal) makes a difference because 2-1 is a very hard result”.

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

But new signing Memphis Depay gave him plenty to smile about on Tuesday night with a virtuoso display against Club Brugge, drawing comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I had said it is a matter of time and it was a matter of time”. We have a lot of chances and only three goals.

Louis van Gaal’s side seem to be more secure at the back this season and have given away very few goalscoring opportunities to the opposition.

“Hopefully he shall continue”.

HE scored a good goal against Aston Villa but he still got a bit of stick from his manager afterwards.

“So now we have to be careful in Brugge and normally it would not be easy but we have the quality to win there as well”.