The18 brought you news of Manchester United and Liverpool's battle for the signature of Dutch flyer Memphis Depay back in March, and today the winner was announced: United have agreed a fee in the region of $40 million with PSV Eindhoven, and Depay will move to Old Trafford when the transfer window re-opens in June.
United have long been thought to be the favourties for Depay's signature, with former Netherlands manger Louis van Gaal telling the 21-year-old last summer to "wait a season" before linking up with him at Old Trafford. But Liverpool made a concerted effort to beat their rivals to the Dutchman's signature, with reports still emanating just yesterday that they were confident of sealing a deal.
Showing the level of compassion and maturity you'd expect on social media, United fans have shown nothing but good grace and sympathy towards their Liverpudlian bretheren:
Liverpool trying to sign Depay... pic.twitter.com/AzD8TYYoRP
— 9π̵яѻѻƼ ♡ (@Maekprnylqub) May 7, 2015
Memphis Depay when he found out that Liverpool fans actually thought that he would choose them over #mufc. #Depay pic.twitter.com/V54rwlyVIm
— Man United Transfers (@TransferMarked) May 7, 2015
Liverpool fans after hearing the news about Memphis Depay pic.twitter.com/4Za4IGA40B
— United Religion (@theholyjuan_) May 7, 2015
Liverpool fans furious after missing out on Memphis Depay to Man United [Best Tweets] http://t.co/NZaYJRatuM pic.twitter.com/xqciXuEjq4
— Premier League (@football_spy) May 7, 2015
But a cautionary tale for United fans before they get too carried away with their new play toy: not all the players who score for fun in the Dutch Eredivisie go on to repeat that form in the EPL. Depay has scored 21 goals in 28 starts for PSV in the Eredivisie this season, which is impressive.
Until you remember that Jozy Altidore scored 23 goals for AZ Alkmaar in the same league just two seasons ago before his move to the EPL. And we all know how that worked out.
