Memphis Depay is sure Louis van Gaal will help him realise his dream of becoming a footballing “legend”.
Van Gaal stole a march on his rivals in May when he completed the signing of Depay from PSV Eindhoven for £25million.
He says Paris St Germain were interested, but once he knew he was wanted by Van Gaal, Depay’s mind was made up.
“After (United) came in for me and I spoke with the manager it was very clear for me. I had already made my decision,” the United forward said.
Depay scored 22 league goals for PSV last season and much is expected of him in his first term at United.
He has made a promising start. The coaching staff have informed senior officials at board level that Depay has been scoring some excellent free-kicks in training during United’s pre-season tour of the United States, just like he did for PSV.
And in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the 21-year-old scored his first goal for the club in the 3-1 friendly win over the San Jose Earthquakes.
But Depay is an ambitious person. His aims in life are to dream, believe and achieve — the three words tattooed under his right pectoral muscle.
He has plans on becoming one of the best players in United’s long and illustrious history.
Former players like Bryan Robson, Denis Irwin and Lou Macari, who described Depay as a "tank", have all been impressed by the 21-year-old and he wants to leave a lasting legacy at the club.
“I am very hungry. I want to be a legend at one time in history,” Depay said.
“But the important thing to do for me is to focus on the next game, not to be that far in my head because I have to do my job in every game.
“Maybe one time I can be a legend. Of course it is an honour to have that positive sound from the fans and the legends that talk about me. I am grateful for that.”
Depay knows he has a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same breath as those United greats.
Mentor
But he feels he has the perfect person at his side to help him kick off that journey in United manager Van Gaal.
The two know each other well having worked together with the Dutch national side.
Van Gaal gave Depay his Holland debut against Turkey in October 2013 and eight months later he selected the powerful forward in his World Cup squad.
Depay, who prefers to be known as ‘Memphis’ as he does not want to be associated with his father, who split from his mother when he was four, declined an invitation to describe Van Gaal as a “father figure” during an interview with the British media in San Jose on Wednesday.
But there is no doubt that Depay regards Van Gaal as a brilliant manager who will get the best out of him.
“I don’t want to say he is like a father figure,” Depay said.
“But he is a great manager. He can make players better.
“I feel I will be a better player every time I train with him. I feel stronger. I feel fit. That is one of the things he can really do to you.
“Everything he tells me to do better I can take that in my mind and work on it. I am very young and I want to do everything better so I become a better player.”
Depay has not set himself any personal targets this season, but he has one aim for the team — to challenge for the Barclays Premier League title.
“I think that is realistic. We are Manchester United,” he said.
“I think we have real qualities. We have to prove that in the games.
“We have to be creative. The defence has to be strong so we win games and we can play for trophies.”
Going nowhere
Meanwhile Rafael Benitez says he is is "100 per cent" sure Sergio Ramos will stay at Real Madrid despite interest from Manchester United.
United are willing to exchange goalkeeper David de Gea for Ramos, who is reportedly unhappy about the salary he has been offered as part of a new deal at the Bernabeu.
Ramos and Madrid are yet to resolve their differences, but Benitez insists the defender will remain at Real Madrid.
“I have a lot of respect for (United manager) Louis van Gaal, but Sergio will be staying with us,” the Real Madrid manager said at a press conference in Australia prior to the team’s friendly against Manchester City.
“He is our player, our captain. I would like to see him (at the club) at the beginning of the season, because he’s a key player for us.”
When asked whether he was absolutely certain the centre-half would stay, Benitez said: “For me, 100 per cent.
“I insist that it is clear for me and the club, Sergio will be here. Football is a curious world, but Ramos will be staying.”
Ramos has won a host of honours — including the Champions League — since joining Real Madrid from Sevilla 10 years ago.
The 29-year-old has been appointed club captain this summer following the exit of long-serving goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has joined Porto on a two-year deal.
