Depay: I admire Ronaldo but I won't copy him

The Netherlands international has agreed to sign for Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven, and insists that he will not imitate the Portugal international at Old Trafford

Memphis Depay says he admires Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick taking ability, but insists that he will not copy the Real Madrid superstar when he joins Manchester United.

United have agreed a deal with PSV Eindhoven to acquire Depay – who has been likened to Ronaldo and is widely regarded as a free-kick specialist – this summer, and the Netherlands international subsequently outlined his desire to emulate the Portuguese at Old Trafford.

Depay, though, insists he will not simply imitate Ronaldo’s style, and says he is more focused on winning than adding to his own personal scoring tally.

“Let’s be honest, doesn’t everyone look at Ronaldo’s free-kicks? I’ve looked at a lot of his technique but I do it in my own way. I have my own style and try not to do the same,” he told De Telegraaf.

“In my business it’s about winning. To win you have to score, if I can do that frequently, my job is done.”

When asked about his free-kicks, Depay added: “By taking many free-kicks I increase my chances to score and help my team.”

Having clinched his signing Louis van Gaal compared Depay to Lionel Messi – labelling him a “goalscoring winger” – but the 21-year-old admits that he cares little about where he is deployed on the pitch.

“It does not matter to me,” he added. “I can play from the left, the right or attack through the middle.

“[PSV manager] Phillip Cocu gave me freedom. That worked best.