MEMPHIS DEPAY lit up Old Trafford with two wonder goals - but was left cursing the chance he missed as Manchester United made a nervy return to Europe.
Depay, a £25m summer signing from PSV, scored two superb solo efforts - his first goals for the club - in the first half as United recovered from the shock of Michael Carrick's early own goal.
But after missing a great opening for to complete his hat-trick it was left to sub Marouane Fellaini to give United a two-goal cushion for their Champions League qualifying round second leg in Bruges next week.
Fellaini came on for skipper Wayne Rooney and scored with a header from Depay's cross in the third minute of added time.
United boss Van Gaal was delighted with Depay's performance and said: "I want to kiss him tonight because when you score two goals and have an assist then normally in the world you are the hero.
"He is never satisfied and I like that because you have to know what you are doing and also what you can do. Then your desire to improve is higher and that's Memphis."
Depay was hugely relieved. He said: "I'm happy that I scored, and of course, I'm happy that we won. But I must admit I'm a bit disappointed because I could have scored the last two chances and got a hat-trick.
"I will think about that tonight and forget about it tomorrow. It was really important to get the last goal.
"But it was a good result. We travel to Bruges and we have to finish the job there."
United boss Van Gaal was delighted with Depay's performance and said: "I want to kiss him tonight because when you score two goals and have an assist then normally in the world you are the hero.
"He is never satisfied and I like that because you have to know what you are doing and also what you can do. Then your desire to improve is higher and that's Memphis."
Depay was hugely relieved. He said: "I'm happy that I scored, and of course, I'm happy that we won. But I must admit I'm a bit disappointed because I could have scored the last two chances and got a hat-trick.
"I will think about that tonight and forget about it tomorrow. It was really important to get the last goal.
"But it was a good result. We travel to Bruges and we have to finish the job there."
"I ended the season with a lot of goals and it's a nice feeling to score at Old Trafford my first two goals."
Belgium international Fellaini warned United the tie is far from over.
"I think it was important to score a third goal. It was fantastic. Now we have to be careful in Bruges. We have the quality to win the game there as well.
"I don't care if it makes me unpopular in Belgium, the most important there is the win.
"No, the job is not done, we have to be careful because it won't be easy. We have the quality to win there as well and we have to be ready."
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