Legend Denis Irwin: Memphis Depay can become Manchester United's new David Beckham

Posted Monday, August 03, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk

FORMER Manchester United great Denis Irwin sees something of David Beckham in £25m new-boy Memphis Depay.

The former PSV Eindhoven star was profilic for the Dutch side last term and has already opened his United account after netting in a pre-season game against San Jose Earthquakes recently.

Depay is a dead-ball specialist and scored a number of stunning free-kicks during his time in Holland.

Irwin, United's full-back throughout the 1990s, believes Depay can match his former team-mate and Old Trafford legend Beckham in set-piece situations.

He told United's official website: "I think Memphis could match Becks. I saw him score a few goals last year for PSV and I think he will be a big addition to our team.

"It's still early days yet, but there’s no doubt that he has a lot of talent. He brings that unpredictability and we don’t possess too many players like that.

"His records will tell you that, even though he’s young, he’s a goalscorer as well, having scored 28 goals last year in Holland.

Legend Denis Irwin: Memphis Depay can become Manchester United's new David Beckham
FORMER GREAT: Beckham in action

"We’ve already seen how good he is at finishing, so I think he’ll become a big player for us even though he’s young."

Irwin also hailed boss Louis van Gaal's other big-money summer signings and can't wait to see them in action when the Premier League bursts back into life next weekend.

He added: "[Morgan] Schneiderlin has had a great few years at Southampton, he’s very mobile, not afraid to put a tackle in and it was a bonus for him to get a goal on his tour debut. I think he’ll be an important player for us.

"As for the other two – [Matteo] Darmian looks more than accomplished in the full-back position.

"I don’t know an awful lot about him but he’s done well in the games he’s played in.

"And of course [Bastian] Schweinsteiger is obviously a serial winner - he’s won several Bundesliga titles, the World Cup and made over 100 appearances for Germany and 500 for Bayern Munich, so he’s a very experienced player.

"I think all the players have been great additions and I’m really looking forward to seeing them play in the new season."