Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal warns Memphis Depay over 'not so easy' Premier League

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has warned summer signing Memphis Depay to expect a tough start to life in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old Holland international was acquired from PSV Eindhoven and was Van Gaal's first signing of the summer.

Depay was unveiled by the club on 10 July, where he described his transfer to Old Trafford as "a dream come true".

But Van Gaal has cautioned the forward to expect a culture shock when he makes his bow in the Premier League, citing the experiences of Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind in their debut seasons at the club.

"I think he is one of the biggest, highly talented boys of his age because he is full of confidence," Van Gaal said, as quoted by the Guardian.

"You hear it but he shall notice that it is not so easy in the Premier League. It is a big difference from the Dutch league, always pressure on the ball, physical resistance high, so it is not so easy.

"He is full of confidence so he shall say what he is feeling but I know it is not easy. Players like Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind had problems. We also have to give him time," the United manager said.

He also hinted at using Depay as a striker during the club's pre-season tour of the United States due to paucity of senior strikers in the first team. Radamel Falcao has departed for Chelsea and Robin van Persie is reportedly close to leaving Old Trafford.

"I have to see how we solve this problem and it is also one of the reasons that we have bought Memphis because maybe you remember that he has played in the striker's position also in the Dutch team," he explained.

"He is one of the greatest talents of his age. We have to wait and see which position he can give the greatest benefit to the team," Van Gaal stressed.

United face Mexican side Club America on 17 July in their first match of the US tour, followed by games against San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.