Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Tyrell Malacia, Netherlands, Memphis Depay, Manchester United, Louis Van Gaal, Football World Cup
Ryan Smart
Topics: Tyrell Malacia, Netherlands, Memphis Depay, Manchester United, Louis Van Gaal, Football World Cup
Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia has backed international compatriot Memphis Depay to win the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup.
Malacia and Depay's Netherlands got their tournament off to the perfect start on Monday, defeating Senegal 2-0 in Group A.
It wasn't the most free-flowing of performances from Louis van Gaal's side, but Cody Gakpo's 84th-minute strike gave them the advantage.
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Davy Klaassen then netted in the ninth minute of stoppage time to secure the three points.
Neither Depay or Malacia started the game, although the former did come on as a 62nd-minute substitute as the Dutch attempted to turn the game in their favour.
Daley Blind, meanwhile, was preferred to Malacia on the left side of defence as Van Gaal opted to field five defenders.
After the match, the current United star tipped one of his team-mates to win the Golden Boot in Qatar, despite failing to score in the opening game.
Rumours have linked Depay, who currently plays for Barcelona, with a move back to the Premier League, and Spanish outlet Sport claim that Arsenal and United are among the teams interested in signing him.
A move to the Red Devils would represent a return to the club that Depay played for between 2015 and 2017.
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It has been a tough season for the 28-year-old, who has been restricted to just three appearances in all competitions for Barca due to injury.
But he is at close to full fitness again just in time for the World Cup - and Malacia is backing him to have a strong tournament.
Speaking prior to the opening game against Senegal, the left-back said (via United's official website) that Depay is his tip to win the World Cup Golden Boot for the first time.
On his nation's chances in the tournament, Malacia added: "Of course, he [Van Gaal] knows a lot, and he helps us a lot.
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"He talks with us a lot, and has a lot of experience for the younger players to know.
"We also have some guys in the team who have already played at the World Cup, so I think our team has a bit of everything, you know."
Netherlands are next in action on Friday when they take on Ecuador in Group A.