Memphis Depay dazzles in Manchester United's 3-1 win in first leg of Champions League playoff

Manchester United boosted their chances of progressing to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League this season, after a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the first leg of their playoff tie on Tuesday, 18 August. Memphis Depay, who was making his Champions League debut for United, stole the show with two goals and a late assist to put United in the driving seat.

Playing at home, United were pegged back early on when midfielder Michael Carrick scored on the wrong end to give Clube Brugge the lead. The 3-time European champions, however, bounced back immediately and equalised in the 13th minute through Memphis Depay, who brilliantly sidestepped a Brugge defender to make space for himself and shoot.

The home side settled down after the goal, and managed to keep most of the possession and create chances for themselves. In the 43rd minute, Dutchman Depay once again got into the scoresheet, as he unleashed a right-foot curler from outside of the box to give United the lead.

The English club created a few more chances in the second half, but it was only in the last minute of the game that they scored again, this time through Belgian midfielder Fellaini. Depay was once again heavily involved in the goal, as he delivered a pin-point cross from the left for Fellaini to head in. The win puts United in firm control of their Champions League destiny, ahead of the second leg next Wednesday.

In other games, FC Astana, Bate Borisov and Lazio pulled off 1-0 wins over Apoel Nicosia, Partizan Belgrade and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, while Sporting Lisbon prevailed 2-1 over CSKA Moscow.