Memphis Depay is hoping his double strike for the Netherlands in World Cup qualification on Sunday can act as a catalyst to help revive his stalling club career at Manchester United. The 22-year-old forward proved to be an inspirational substitution for the Dutch in a tricky away game at Luxembourg, coming on at half-time and scoring twice to ensure a 3-1 victory in the Group A encounter. The first goal was a close-range header from a cross delivered by club team mate Daley Blind and the second a free kick over that he struck over the home team's wall. "I'm really happy I succeeded," he told Dutch television. "I proved I can still take a free kick. I knew I still had it in me and I really wanted to take it. It was great to see the ball go in."
Memphis said he would be returning to Old Trafford with renewed confidence in a campaign in which he has seen just 20 minutes of league action, all off the bench, and started only a domestic cup match. "That is for sure. I'm going to fight my utmost to make sure I can get back in contention," he added. Memphis's performance came as no surprise to Dutch coach Danny Blind, who said he had remained confident in the player's ability even if he had seen little Premier League action. "His work ethic is so good and when he came on he made the right impact. His goals were a reward for him and for the team," Blind said.Memphis Depay spared the blushes of the Netherlands with two second half goals as they won 3-1 in Luxembourg in an unexpectedly tricky World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
Depay came on to score just before the hour mark and break the deadlock as the Netherlands were still being held 1-1 in a match they were expected to win comfortably. The Manchester United striker rose to head home an inch-perfect cross from club mate Daley Blind from point blank range in the 58th minute to hand the momentum back to the Dutch after Luxembourg had fought back into the match. Depay then scored his second, bending a free kick over the wall in the 83rd minute to help the Netherlands advance to seven points in Group A, three behind leaders France.
The Dutch had gone ahead in the 36th minute through Arjen Robben, playing his first international in a year. Injury had kept Robben out of the team since last November but he suffered another muscle strain before halftime and had to be replaced. The Dutch then gave away a penalty just before halftime which Maxime Chanot converted. Luxembourg brought on a 16-year-old substitute Vincent Thill to make his debut near the end of the game but they still lie bottom of the table with only a single point from their four matches.
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