Van Gaal warns Depay not to take success for granted

Louis van Gaal has warned his confident new signing Memphis Depay to expect a massive culture shock when he makes his Premier League debut for Manchester United this season.

The 21-year-old was unveiled at Old Trafford as he completes the first week of pre-season training with the club he joined for £25 million (35million euros, $38.7million) from PSV Eindhoven at the end of the last campaign.

Depay sounded full of confidence that he can continue to make the same dramatic impact he has made so far for club and country, where he played for van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup.

But after the troubles experienced last season by new United signings Angel di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind – all of whom struggled to adapt to the English game – van Gaal has warned his latest signing that his new surroundings may prove tougher than he expects.

“I think he is one of the few high-talented boys of his age in the world,” said van Gaal.

“And you can hear he is full of confidence but he will notice it is not so easy in the Premier League.

“It is a big difference with the Dutch league. There is always pressure on the ball, it is physical, the resistance is high. So it’s not easy. I have said to him but he is full of confidence so he will say what he is thinking and feeling.

“But I know it is not so easy and also players like Rojo, di Maria and Blind have had problems. So we have to give him time also.”

Van Gaal would not be drawn on the status of Robin van Persie, who is reportedly on the verge of a £4.7 million move to Fenerbahce in Turkey but the United manager did reveal that he has the option of playing left winger Depay in a central striker role, where he has performed for the Dutch national team, as a replacement for his countryman.

Depay, who has already drawn comparisons with former United legend Cristiano Ronaldo, is clearly relishing the challenge despite the warnings of his new club manager.

“I am very excited. I have to improve myself in the Premier League and I am very happy to be here,” he said.

“My aim is to win trophies with the team. It is the biggest club in the world.

“We have a lot of quality so I have to fight my way but I think the team has the quality to win the title and all the trophies there are to win.

“I think I can score goals. I believe I will work on it and I am excited to do my job for Manchester United and to score goals. I am a striker so I want to score goals and get assists.

“They other players said it is a hard competition, very hard and the game moves fast, everybody is fast and strong so it will be different. I think my team-mates will help me settle me in but I also have to do it myself.”

One other new signing is right-back Matteo Darmian who van Gaal confirmed is on his way to United for a medical that will clinch his £14.4 million move from Torino this weekend.

Van Gaal also insisted he has no doubt that United goalkeeper David de Gea, linked strongly with a summer move to Real Madrid, will behave professionally if he is still with the club by the time they leave for their pre-season tour of the United States on Monday.

“I think he is a very professional player and he showed fantastic attitude until now and I think that for all my players,” said van Gaal.

“Not only De Gea but others who have to behave themselves very professionally.

“It is also good that Memphis does that. That is the difficulty now for every manager. This period when players have to go or not have to go is the most difficult time. I cannot complain about the professional attitude of my players.”