Louis van Gaal "forced" to move swiftly to stop Memphis Depay moving to PSG

Memphis Depay has scored 21 goals for the Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven this season

Speaking ahead of the game against Crystal Palace this weekend, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was peppered with questions regarding new acquisition Memphis Depay. The club completed the 21-year-old winger’s move to Manchester pending medical yesterday.

Van Gaal spoke about the need for United to move early for the young Dutchman. He said, “I was forced to handle [the situation] as a manager because, otherwise, he was going to PSG, that's why I had to sign him and we've done it within one day. But, for us, it's better to focus on the game against [Crystal] Palace.”

He also added: “I want to do this [make signings] early but it's not always possible.

“When there's a chance, you have to handle that and manage it directly and that was the case. I want to purchase players after our season and not during the season because it disturbs our concentration for the match.”

Regardless of the timing of the purchase, the former Netherlands coach had words of praise for Depay. He said, “He's a goal-scoring winger and there aren't so many of them in the world, Messi is one of those.”

Depay worked under van Gaal at the 2014 FIFA World Cup when they were both with the national squad. The youngster impressed with the Oranje in that campaign and has played impressively for Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven as well.