..::Football III::..

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QPR will not move on Austin valuation - Ramsey

Chris Ramsey insists that QPR have no intention of lowering their valuation of in-demand striker Charlie Austin.

Austin enjoyed a superb debut campaign in the Premier League in 2014-15, though his return of 18 goals in 35 appearances was not enough to prevent the club's relegation to the Championship.

Austin has been linked with the likes of West Ham and Tottenham this summer, but QPR director of football Les Ferdinand revealed on Monday that only "two firm bids" had been tabled for the 26-year-old, who is valued at £15 million.

Neither offer is said to have matched the Hoops' asking price, and Ramsey says that the club are not set to allow Austin to leave on the cheap, though he does believe that the forward will eventually depart Loftus Road to boost his chances of making England's Euro 2016 squad.

"He scored 18 goals last season in a team that didn't do well so we think we have priced him reasonably in order for him to reach his ambitions," Ramsey told talkSPORT.

"There or thereabouts of what we have mentioned we need to stick to that because QPR as a club need the finances to rebuild and be able to compete in the Championship and set targets for this season and seasons beyond.

"Once you have tasted that top level, you want to get back there. From my point of view, I don't think I would be being very honest with him if I said to him to stay in the Championship and forget your ambitions.

"We are saying to him we are a club that are looking to do well, we are looking to get some solid foundations, and he can be part of that.

"He is a folk hero and the fans would love to see him stay but ultimately I would imagine he wants to play at the highest level he can and try to get himself in that England squad for the Euros."

 

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Real Madrid sign Kovacic from Inter

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Inter.

The two sides reached an agreement for the 21-year-old Croatia international over the weekend, with Madrid coughing up €35 million to convince the Nerazzurri to sell him.

Inter boss Roberto Mancini already admitted on Sunday that the player was on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the attacking midfielder was confirmed as the club's new signing on Tuesday, penning a six-year deal with the Liga giants.

Kovacic will be unveiled as a Madrid player on Wednesday after undertaking a medical.

"Real Madrid and Inter have agreed to the transfer of Mateo Kovacic," a statement on Madrid's website read. "He will remain at the club for the next six seasons."

Kovacic has been a pivotal player for the San Siro club over the last two years, scoring eight goals in 44 games in all competitions last season for Roberto Mancini's men.

 

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Juventus ahead of Chelsea in Donsah pursuit - agent

Juventus are set to beat Chelsea and Fiorentina to the signing of Godfred Donsah from Cagliari, the midfielder's agent has revealed.

The 19-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from the three sides after a bright campaign with the Sardinian club.

And his agent, Oliver Arthur, has revealed that he is set to enter negotiations with the Serie A champions in the near future.

"We have scheduled a meeting with Juventus in the next few days, I can say they are ahead of Fiorentina," he told Radio Blu.

"At the moment I prefer not to talk about Chelsea."

The agent is confident the Ghanaian has played his last game for Cagliari, who were relegated to Serie B last season, and will definitely be on his way this summer.

"I feel very unlikely that he will play again this year for Cagliari. Before August 31, we will have a suitable situation."

 

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Marchisio ruled out for three weeks

Juventus have confirmed that Claudio Marchisio will be out of action for three weeks with a muscle injury.

The midfielder missed out on Tuesday's training session in order to have his right leg scanned.

The tests revealed that the 29-year-old has damaged his hamstring, while the club revealed that he will require at least 20 days to recover from the injury.

The injury sees the Italy international ruled out of Juve's first two games of the season, in which Massimiliano Allegri's men take on Udinese on Sunday before meeting Roma the following week.

Marchisio has been a crucial part of the Bianconeri squad since breaking into the first team in 2006. The Italy international scored three goals last season as Juve lifted the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and reached the Champions League final.

 

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Manchester United 3-1 Club Brugge: Memphis stars after Carrick own goal

Memphis Depay turned on the style and Marouane Fellaini struck in stoppage time as Manchester United beat Club Brugge 3-1 on their return to the Champions League.

Depay, signed from PSV in June, opened his account for United in impressive fashion on Tuesday with a first-half double as Louis van Gaal's side moved a step closer to claiming a place in the group stage.

The 21-year-old forward's heroics came after Brugge had taken a surprise early lead against the Premier League side when Michael Carrick deflected a Victor Vazquez free-kick into his own net.

United were ahead by the break, though, as Depay quickly endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful with two clinical finishes.

Another two chances fell the way of the Netherlands international but a Champions League hat-trick eluded him, while Obbi Oulare nearly embarrassed Sergio Romero at the other end.

Substitute Fellaini gave the home side a two-goal cushion with a header in time added on after Brandon Mechele's late red card for a second bookable offence, to make United favourites to progress heading into the second leg of the play-off tie next Wednesday.

United, unchanged following their win at Aston Villa on Friday, made a positive start with the backing of an expectant Old Trafford crowd and Wayne Rooney was inches away from converting Adnan Januzaj's low cross after only 46 seconds.

The home side continued to threaten but found themselves behind after eight minutes as Carrick diverted Vazquez's free-kick into his own net – the first goal conceded by Van Gaal's side this season.

Brugge could not hold on to their advantage, though, as Carrick – who was replaced by Schweinsteiger at half-time – made amends with a superb assist for Depay's equaliser after 13 minutes.

His whipped pass was superbly brought down by Depay on the edge of the penalty area and, after beating three defenders, the Netherlands international rifled his shot past Sebastien Bruzzese.

Chances continued to come for the hosts and two minutes before the break Depay doubled his tally, cutting in from the left and curling a precise effort beyond Bruzzese.

Not satisfied with two goals, Depay quickly went in search of his hat-trick after the restart and was denied a third by a fine Bruzzese save after a marauding run.

With an hour played Romero – barely tested in the United goal – nearly gifted Brugge an equaliser as he hesitated to clear Matteo Darmian's back pass, substitute Oulare nearly robbing the Argentine.

It was a rare opportunity for the visitors, and United quickly broke down the other end and Depay inexplicably missed a glorious chance from 12 yards after a sumptuous backheel from Rooney.

A late Depay free-kick flew inches wide before Mechele was shown a second yellow card late on and Chris Smalling headed straight at Bruzzese.in stoppage time.

Finally United got their third goal, though, as Fellaini rose at the back post to head home a deep cross from the left, giving Van Gaal's side breathing space heading into the second leg.

 

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Memphis lights up Old Trafford when Man Utd & Van Gaal need him most

Manchester United were not expecting to have to come from behind in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying play-off against Club Brugge but that is the position in which they found themselves with barely eight minutes on the clock.

Michael Carrick's inadvertent boot past Sergio Romero stunned Old Trafford, with memories of ordinary performances here under David Moyes and last season under Louis van Gaal flashing before the eyes of the stunned United fans in attendance.

The goal, which came courtesy of a Victor Vazquez free-kick further emboldened the Belgian club's set of loyal supporters, who were comfortably outsinging their English counterparts before most of the home contingent had even taken their seats.

"Who the f*** are Man United?" they sang in word-perfect, if salty, English and it was going to take something rather special to subdue them. "Where the f*** are Man United?", the home fans might have wondered at that point.

Step forward Memphis Depay; made, on this evidence, to supply both goals and electricity for Manchester United for many years to come.

Club Brugge were daring to dream of something more than the hiding they expected their side to take beforehand, but then Memphis demonstrated just why Van Gaal was willing to shell out some £25 million for his signature. He had scored goals for fun the Eredivisie for champions PSV Eindhoven last season, and doing it for one of the world's biggest clubs came perfectly naturally to him on a night they needed someone to take command.

First, a close touch took him past the attention of a Brugge defender, before a calm side-step gave him all the space he needed to slot home past Sebastian Bruzzese for his first official United goal.

Memphis took flak for his inability to find the net against Aston Villa on Friday night from a relatively straightforward opportunity but dispelled any lingering doubts that Ed Woodward had been sold a pup not long after.

PSV fans might be well used to the sight of Memphis picking the ball up on the left side of the attack and finding the opposite corner with a shot. How sweet for United fans, though, that they were treated to one of his trademark breathtaking strikes so soon into his United career.

They had not seen a Champions League debut as good around these parts since Wayne Rooney hit a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in 2004. Now Memphis is the man leading his captain by example. Still, Rooney cannot get into the flow of games this season.

There was one moment in the second half when it all came together for the England man. His expert touch-off into the path of Depay deserved the finishing touch. As it was, the Netherlands international snatched at it and missed the chance to emulate Rooney with a debut hat-trick in this competition. No matter, there will be plenty of those in the red shirt.

There were a few hairy moments for United to endure, not least when a foul was called on Romero with the goal at the mercy of Obbi Oulare in the second half, but Memphis's cross, nodded in by Marouane Fellaini deep into injury time, might now have sunk Club's rebellion for good.

Let's call this a coming out party for Memphis. Van Gaal cleared the striking decks at Old Trafford this summer with the forcible removals of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. A lot will depend on those broad shoulders of Memphis should Rooney's toils continue.

He did all which was asked of him and more in his first big test. Here is a self-confident, self-confessed "dream chaser" who thinks it an inevitability that he has ended up at a club as important as this one. For a club seeking rediscover their place at the top of the natural order, such swagger is certainly welcome.

 

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Memphis disappointed not to score Manchester United hat-trick

Memphis Depay has admitted he was disappointed not to have scored a hat-trick after starring in Manchester United’s 3-1 Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge.

Louis van Gaal’s side suffered a nightmare start to the game, going behind thanks to a Michael Carrick own goal after just eight minutes at Old Trafford.

However, Memphis levelled just five minutes later after beating a couple of defenders before firing past goalkeeper Sebastien Bruzzese then adding a superb second from range.

The 21-year-old had further opportunities, in particular firing over the bar after a great team move involving Luke Shaw and Juan Mata and he rues his misses.

“I am happy of course that I scored and we won the game. We created a lot of chances,” he told BT Sport.

“It really important to score the last [third] goal of course but I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t finish the last two chances. It’s a good result and we have to travel to Bruges and finish the job.

“At the end of last season I finished with a lot of goals and to come to a big club you have to score and do the job. It’s a nice feeling to score at Old Trafford

"I am little disappointed because I will think about that last chance."

 

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Van Gaal: Late Fellaini strike key to Champions League progress

Louis van Gaal hailed Marouane Fellaini 's late strike as the crucial goal as Manchester United secured a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Fellaini rose to meet a long diagonal ball from Memphis Depay in stoppage time at Old Trafford, the midfielder nodding past Sebastien Bruzzese to secure a two-goal cushion.

The Belgian's strike came after Memphis had scored his first two goals for his new side, the 21-year-old netting both in the first half with two impressive finishes to cancel out Michael Carrick's own goal.

Van Gaal was delighted to have secured a first-leg victory in the play-off round, and believes Fellaini's impact will be crucial in their hopes of reaching the group stages.

"It makes a difference because 2-1 is a very difficult result," he told BT Sport . "We deserved much more because we created a lot of chances.

"It is what I am always saying, you have to be effective. We have a lot of chances and only three goals.

"I am happy because of the last goal. We have practised that before when we need Fellaini, we put him in the penalty area because he has that quality."

Man-of-the-match Memphis also earned praise from his manager, who predicts his summer signing to go from strength to strength after starring on his Champions League debut for United.

Van Gaal added: "I am very happy for Memphis because a player needs that. I said it was a matter of time and he shall continue. He is 21 and he has only played two seasons for PSV. I have confidence in him."

 

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Real Madrid 2-1 Galatasaray: Marcelo solo strike delivers Trofeo Bernabeu for Blancos

Marcelo's tremendous solo strike delivered the Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu for Real Madrid as they triumphed 2-1 over visitors Galatasaray on Tuesday.

The Brazilian full-back's individual run and finish nine minutes from the end saw Rafael Benitez's men battle to the win in their final pre-season friendly and first in front of their home fans.

Nacho had earlier put Real ahead before Wesley Sneijder's equaliser, with the hosts squandering numerous opportunities throughout the first half at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo was below his best, caught offside on numerous occasions in what was a frustrating outing, while Lukas Podolski caused plenty of problems for Madrid before setting up the equalising goal for Sneijder in an impressive display.

But Benitez's side will at least take winning form into their La Liga opener at Sporting Gijon on Sunday.

With Karim Benzema out injured, Jese Rodriguez led the line for the Blancos with Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Isco behind him.

Madrid were the brighter of the teams early on, despite a threatening Podolski, before Nacho's 17th-minute opener. The defender rose to head Luka Modric's inviting corner from the right into the far corner of the net.

Ronaldo had a couple of opportunities soon after, shooting over with a free kick before failing to connect with a Bale ball that came over his shoulder.

Podolski, who joined Galatasaray from Arsenal in July, looked lively through the first half and fired wide in the 29th minute.

Despite looking somewhat disjointed in the final third, Madrid continued to have opportunities - Isco grazing the top of the crossbar after a corner went uncleared.

Podolski put another chance over the bar, this time from a Sneijder cutback, before Ronaldo missed his best opportunity of the half.

Released down the right, Jese cutback for Ronaldo who - unaware of the space he was in and time he had - shot well over from near the penalty spot.

Gala would punish Real for the missed chances with an equaliser in the 52nd minute. Podolski broke clear before passing to Sneijder, who took a touch onto his left before driving a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

With few clear-cut chances, Marcelo took matters into his own hands for the winning goal in the 81st minute.

The full-back ran at Gala's defence down the left, beating two men on his way to cutting inside before skipping past another and poking a finish past Fernando Muslera.

 

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Van Gaal: I want to kiss man-of-the-match Memphis

Louis van Gaal says he "wants to kiss" Memphis Depay after the summer signing scored twice and assisted a third as Manchester United ran out 3-1 winners over Club Brugge in the Champions League.

The hosts went behind after just eight minutes when Michael Carrick turned Victor Vazquez's free kick into his own net, before Depay equalised five minutes later.

The Dutchman curled in a second just before half-time then set up Marouane Fellaini's third at the death, admitting later he was frustrated not to score a hat-trick, and Van Gaal heaped praise on the 21-year-old.

"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," he told reporters.

Van Gaal admitted relief at securing a two-goal lead ahead of next week's play-off second leg, but warned that the tie is by no means settled before heading to Belgium in eight days' time.

He added: "Yes it is a difficult ground, and it is not a simple opponent. I have read in the papers in England that it is simple and it is a walkover, but it isn't like that.

"Every team that comes, such as Brugge against Panathinaikos, they won 3-0 [in the previous round]. It is still a game, but because of the last goal we now have more confidence."

Wayne Rooney again struggled in attack despite Depay's lively performance in support, but Van Gaal dismissed concerns over his striker's ongoing goal drought, adding: "He had a shot on goal [in the first half] so I'm happy."

Michael Carrick was replaced at half-time, but his manager insisted the player's earlier error played no part in his decision, with Bastian Schweinsteiger in need of first-team minutes following his summer arrival.

"It was a tactic switch. I have to also build up Schweinsteiger and that is why I changed Michael for Schweinsteiger," he said.

 

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Fernandinho hits out at Diego Costa: He's always trying to offend

Fernandinho has accused Diego Costa of "always trying to offend" when he plays after the pair clashed during Chelsea's 3-0 loss to Manchester City.

The striker reportedly had to be stopped from confronting the City midfielder as the two headed off the pitch at the half-time interval, with the Spain international suffering a cut to the head during a earlier clash.

"It was an accident and the nature of the game. It happens in football," Fernandinho is quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"He [Costa] is always trying to offend the opposition, but I keep calm and keep playing. I just didn't want to fight or have any confrontation and just to play for my team."

Sunday's commanding victory saw City build up a five-point lead over the Premier League champions after just two games and Fernandinho feels the squad is stronger than that which finished second last season.

He added: "It's been a good way to start, two wins, six goals and none conceded. We have come to win the title this season.

"The manager prepared the team very well and we have started the Premier League very well and this is important because we have a long way to go and we are much stronger as a team.

"I'm proud of being part of this team and it's the way we like to play, with a lot of intensity, control of the ball. We like to have possession and in both games we have played, we did it in the best way.

"The important thing is to win the title and if we can do it with style and by entertaining, it's perfect. But if you cannot we have to be more consistent, especially in defending.

"We have got good players up front who can score a lot of goals, but the most important thing is to be consistent in defence and midfield as well."

 

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I don't see how to beat Man Utd, admits Preud'homme

Club Brugge manager Michel Preud'homme has insisted he does not know how to beat Manchester United after Tuesday's Champions League play-off first-leg loss.

The visitors took a surprise lead at Old Trafford through a Michael Carrick own goal, before Memphis Depay scored twice and assisted a third in injury time to give United a solid platform for the second leg.

Brandon Mechele was handed a late red card for a second bookable defence, making the return game in eight days' time a tougher task, and Preud'homme was upfront about Brugge's chances

"You have a small chance at home but it is going to be very difficult," he told BT Sport. "We tried to play with our qualities, but we were missing a lot of players.

"If we have to miss our captain and central defender [for the second leg], with all our injured players, I don't see the solution to beat Manchester United."

 

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Marcelo: Real Madrid ready for La Liga return

Marcelo has proclaimed that Real Madrid are ready to kick-off La Liga in style after his goal put Galatasaray to the sword.

The Blancos took the lead in Tuesday's Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu midway through the first half via defender Nacho, but Wesley Sneijder drew the scores level with a curled effort just after half-time against his former club.

But Marcelo secured a 2-1 victory for Rafael Benitez's men with an outstanding solo effort that saw him dribble his way through a host of Galatasaray defenders before finding the net with nine minutes remaining.

The Brazilian left-back, who will be vice-captain behind Sergio Ramos in 2015-16, has every confidence that Madrid are ready to follow up the win in their last pre-season game strongly when they return to competitive action in Sunday's visit to Sporting Gijon.

"We are prepared," Marcelo, 27, told reporters. "We know that the beginning of the season is always difficult, but we will do our best to have a great season and start on the right foot.

"I am thrilled with this result. The most important thing was to take this game seriously. We have to start well on Sunday now."

 

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Ronaldo!

 

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UEFA Champions League Play-Offs 1st Leg Fixtures 2015.08.19

UEFA Champions League Play-Offs 1st Leg Fixtures 2015.08.19

Celtic Vs Malmo

Skenderbeu Vs Dinamo

Basel Vs Tel-Aviv

Rapid Wien Vs Wien Vs Shakhtar

Valencia Vs Monaco

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Manchester United Pedro wa sign karaganne naha kiyala kiyanawa

Monada meh LVG karanna yanneKaganna wage yanne mehsareth
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Pedro ge interest 1ka end kala kiyala kiyanne wena option 1kak wath track karanawada manda
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Benitez avoids De Gea questions

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez dodged questions surrounding David De Gea and the Manchester United goalkeeper's potential move to the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

De Gea is yet to feature for United this season, having been dropped in favour of summer signing Sergio Romero.

Goal understands that United have given up hope of persuading De Gea to stay at Old Trafford, with the stopper having informed the club of his desire to leave, but Benitez remained coy after Real defeated Galatasaray 2-1.

Real signed Kiko Casilla from Espanyol in July, while the former Liverpool boss picked Keylor Navas to play against the Turkish side, and Benitez has praised his goalkeeping options.

Asked about De Gea, the Spaniard said: "Keylor had a great game. I have very good goalkeepers.

"I'm delighted with all three of them and I'll be working with them to the full."

De Gea is yet to even sit on the bench for United this season.

 

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Kovacic will be great for Real Madrid - Benitez

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez has voiced his delight with the arrival of Mateo Kovacic from Inter and is confident the 21-year-old will succeed at the Santiago Bernabeu side.

Kovacic signed a six-year deal with Madrid on Tuesday to complete his €35 million move and Benitez feels the Croatia international will add much-needed depth to his side.

"Kovacic is a quality player," Benitez was quoted as saying by AS.

"As we all know, the team suffered last season when Luka Modric was out injured and Kovacic gives us another option.

"He is not a typical defensive midfielder - he offers quality. He joins the attack, he is dynamic, passes the ball well and has a decent shot.

"He doesn't shy away from his responsibilities and that will make him a great player for Real Madrid."

Kovacic will be battling it out with Toni Kroos, Modric, Lucas Silva, Casemiro, James Rodriguez, Asier Illarramendi, Martin Odegaard and Isco for a spot in midfield.

 

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Memphis lights up Old Trafford when Man Utd & Van Gaal need him most

Manchester United were not expecting to have to come from behind in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying play-off against Club Brugge but that is the position in which they found themselves with barely eight minutes on the clock.

Michael Carrick's inadvertent boot past Sergio Romero stunned Old Trafford, with memories of ordinary performances here under David Moyes and last season under Louis van Gaal flashing before the eyes of the stunned United fans in attendance.

The goal, which came courtesy of a Victor Vazquez free-kick further emboldened the Belgian club's set of loyal supporters, who were comfortably outsinging their English counterparts before most of the home contingent had even taken their seats.

"Who the f*** are Man United?" they sang in word-perfect, if salty, English and it was going to take something rather special to subdue them. "Where the f*** are Man United?", the home fans might have wondered at that point.

Step forward Memphis Depay; made, on this evidence, to supply both goals and electricity for Manchester United for many years to come.

Club Brugge were daring to dream of something more than the hiding they expected their side to take beforehand, but then Memphis demonstrated just why Van Gaal was willing to shell out some £25 million for his signature. He had scored goals for fun the Eredivisie for champions PSV Eindhoven last season, and doing it for one of the world's biggest clubs came perfectly naturally to him on a night they needed someone to take command.

First, a close touch took him past the attention of a Brugge defender, before a calm side-step gave him all the space he needed to slot home past Sebastian Bruzzese for his first official United goal.

Memphis took flak for his inability to find the net against Aston Villa on Friday night from a relatively straightforward opportunity but dispelled any lingering doubts that Ed Woodward had been sold a pup not long after.

PSV fans might be well used to the sight of Memphis picking the ball up on the left side of the attack and finding the opposite corner with a shot. How sweet for United fans, though, that they were treated to one of his trademark breathtaking strikes so soon into his United career.

They had not seen a Champions League debut as good around these parts since Wayne Rooney hit a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in 2004. Now Memphis is the man leading his captain by example. Still, Rooney cannot get into the flow of games this season.
There was one moment in the second half when it all came together for the England man. His expert touch-off into the path of Depay deserved the finishing touch. As it was, the Netherlands international snatched at it and missed the chance to emulate Rooney with a debut hat-trick in this competition. No matter, there will be plenty of those in the red shirt.

There were a few hairy moments for United to endure, not least when a foul was called on Romero with the goal at the mercy of Obbi Oulare in the second half, but Memphis's cross, nodded in by Marouane Fellaini deep into injury time, might now have sunk Club's rebellion for good.

Let's call this a coming out party for Memphis. Van Gaal cleared the striking decks at Old Trafford this summer with the forcible removals of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao. A lot will depend on those broad shoulders of Memphis should Rooney's toils continue.

He did all which was asked of him and more in his first big test. Here is a self-confident, self-confessed "dream chaser" who thinks it an inevitability that he has ended up at a club as important as this one. For a club seeking rediscover their place at the top of the natural order, such swagger is certainly welcome.