When a team suffers a disappointing result, it usually isn’t hard for supporters to find a scapegoat.
Sometimes it’s unjustified. After all, a lot has to go wrong for a team to lose or draw, and more often than not it’s a culmination of errors, rather than one individual mistake.
The same was true on Sunday when Manchester United conceded an injury time equaliser against Chelsea, surrendering a hard-fought lead and dropping further behind the Champions League places in the process.
Diego Costa was played onside by the United defence, and the team had dropped off the hosts significantly for the final 20 minutes.
However, Memphis Depay’s role in the equaliser is inexcusable.
The Dutch winger came on the field in the 87th minute, replacing goalscorer Jesse Lingard, and promptly did what he’s done so often this season – give the ball away.
Rather than attempting a square pass to his teammate, or better yet, take the ball to the corner flag in injury time, Depay made a tame effort at a pass, which landed safely with Thibaut Courtois.
A mistake, but United are still winning, and as Depay is just on the pitch, he’ll have the energy to get back into position and he’ll be eager to make up for his error, right?
Maybe not.
Chelsea are back in possession, so maybe now Depay will perform the most basic function asked of a footballer, and run?
Wrong again, even the referee is ahead of the winger in this image.
Okay, so now that Willian has the ball, Depay is the nearest player to him, and Chelsea are getting pretty close to United’s goal, surely he’ll make some effort?
No, but he has at least caught up with the ref.
Willian has pushed forward with the ball, which tends to happen when a player isn’t challenged, but Depay still can’t be arsed helping his teammates. He is, however, in a good position to spot a foul.
Hazard plays the ball back to Cesc Fabregas. We’ve placed a yellow oval in the position where Depay ideally should be. Instead, the winger is hiding behind the referee.
Cesc slots in Costa, who equalises for Chelsea. Depay has the best seat in the house for the goal.
No wonder United fans were so unhappy with him.
If Ferguson was still managing United, Depay, his ego and his 250,000 grand car would probably all be in a skip this time tomorrow. #mufc
— John Ludden (@johnludds) February 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/khaleeqrehman4/status/696397357290803200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Still speechless that Depay failed to square it to Morgan with this simple pass to make it 2-0 before they equalised pic.twitter.com/82ZXKYT6vF
— Dale (@Dale_MUFC_) February 7, 2016
I still can't believe Depay came in late and fucking sold the match
— Shano out now (@Bobby_Bvndz) February 7, 2016
