CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAY- OFF

Depay Double Inspires Man Utd to Victory

Memphis Depay inspired Manchester United to 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in a UEFA Champions League play-off as his side edged towards the group stages.

Brugge took a surprise first-leg lead through Michael Carrick’s own goal.

But Depay drove in a low strike and brilliantly cut inside and curled in a 25-yard shot to put United ahead.

Brugge defender Brandon Mechele was sent off for two bookings after 80 minutes and Depay crossed for Marouane Fellaini to head in a late third.

The home side had looked set to be frustrated in their attempts to add to Depay’s brace as the Dutchman ballooned a shot high after an excellent move and Chris Smalling headed straight at

Man Utd 3-1 Club Brugge Sporting CP 2-1 CSKA Moscow Lazio 1-0 Leverkusen BATE 1-0 Partizan Astana 1-0 APOEL keeper Sebastien Bruzzese from close range.

But Fellaini came on as a late substitute for the out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney and finally turned United’s superiority into a two-goal cushion going into next Wednesday’s return leg.

This is the game in which United’s £31m summer signing Depay announced himself to the Old Trafford fans - and he did it in some style.

He has mostly played just behind the main striker in his first two games but was switched to his more preferred left-wing role against Brugge - a move which paid off.

He dinked a ball over a defender, ran across the area and drove in a low shot for his first United goal as he combined skill, control and pace before a clinical edge.

Depay’s second goal was even better as he received Daley Blind’s pass, cut inside from the left and curled a shot into the far corner, although he should have scored a hat-trick only to shoot high after a Rooney flick from Luke Shaw’s cross.

Maradona (wearing black T-shirt) and retired Tunisian referee, Ali Bennaceur...yesterady