It was a mixed return to his boyhood club for Memphis Depay.
Although the 21-year-old scored against PSV Eindhoven with an extraordinary goal in the 40th minute — and celebrated as promised — Manchester United went home without earning any points in the first round of their Champions League campaign.
The final score was 2-1 to PSV, who benefited from goals by Luciano Narsingh and Hector Moreno, despite United controlling 67% of possession.
Moreno was also involved in a play in the 14th minute that left United’s promising young left back Luke Shaw writhing on the ground in pain.
The Mexican defender, who was not called for a foul on the hard tackle, caught Shaw with his trailing leg in an unfortunate high-speed collision which will likely take the 20-year-old out of action for months with a suspected broken leg.
Twenty-year-old Shaw was showing bright signs as a regular on the United squad after his £30 million purchase from Southampton in 2014.
“It’s a very sad time and we wish him a quick recovery,” said United defender Chris Smalling after the match, adding that the diagnosis was still uncertain.
Memphis Depay, who helped PSV win the Eredivisie league last year by chipping in 22 goals, said before the match that his boyhood club’s fans would allow him the indulgence of celebrating should he knock one in for his new team.
And, with a clinical build up that eluded two defenders before slipping the ball in between PSV goalkeeper Joreon Zoet’s legs, Depay raised his arms and celebrated in style.
“If I score I will celebrate,” he said in an interview before the match. “I have a lot of respect (for PSV) but everyone can understand, when I score I celebrate.”
“It’s a great stadium, great atmosphere and a lot of memories. This is my second home and Manchester is now my new home,” he added.
In other action, Manchester City lost at home 2-1 to Juventus in a come-from-behind win for the Italians. Last year’s Champions League hero Alvaro Morata came through again for the winner in the 81st minute.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid cruised to a 4-0 victory over Shaktar Donetsk behind a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugese “galactico” is now the all-time leading goalscorer in Champions League history.