Memphis Depay netted his first Manchester United goal as Louis van Gaal’s men secured a 3-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes in an entertaining encounter in California on Tuesday night.
The Dutchman’s effort – a calm low finish after he took advantage of a wayward backpass – was sandwiched between efforts from Juan Mata and substitute Andrea Pereira, who also netted his first goal for the senior team at the Avaya Stadium in San Jose.
Van Gaal started with the same team that overcame Club America in Seattle – Sam Johnstone in goal, a backline of Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw and a midfield featuring Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ashley Young and Mata; Memphis once again sat behind Wayne Rooney up front.
United’s attacking duo were at it from the off with Depay looking particularly sharp. On four minutes the Dutchman powered forward, twisted and turned before seeing his shot parried by David Bingham in the Quakes goal. Rooney looked to pounce, as did Mata but the Spaniard could only find the side netting.
Five minutes later a brilliant run forward down the left from Shaw almost resulted in Memphis’ opening Reds strike after a Rooney dummy, but the Quakes just about managed to clear the danger.
The Reds continued to look a threat – down both wings. Shaw and Young combined well on the left, while, on the opposite side, Mata enjoyed some neat link-up play with Darmian who showed his eye for attacking on a number of occasions inside the opening 45.
