Investing.com -- Newly-acquired striker Memphis Depay helped rally Manchester United from an early deficit on Tuesday evening with two goals and an assist, as the Red Devils outlasted Club Brugge of Belgium 3-1 in the opening leg of UEFA Champions League qualifying playoffs.
Memphis, who was acquired from Netherlands club PSV Eindhoven in June for a reported transfer fee of LON 25 million, equalized minutes after the Belgian club took an unexpected lead, then erased any Brugge hopes for a shocking upset with two additional moments of brilliance in the Manchester United victory at Old Trafford. Brugge struck first in the eighth minute when a free kick from Victor Vasquez caromed off the back of midfielder Adnan Januzaj and hit the foot of midfielder Michael Carrick before trickling past United goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
It did not take long, however, for United to strike back, thanks to a scintillating individual effort from Memphis. After chesting a pass above the left side of the box in the 13th minute, Memphis flicked the ball over a defenders' head, juggled it with his head, controlled it with his right foot and blasted a low shot past Brugge keeper Sébastien Bruzzese to tie the score. Memphis added a second tally just before the half when he received a short pass from Juan Mata at the left side of the box, took one touch to cut inside and curled a shot into the lower right corner to elude Bruzzese. Manchester United took advantage in the 80th minute when Brugge defender Brandon Mechele was ejected after receiving his second yellow card.
Brugge appeared to be leaving Old Trafford with a narrow one-goal deficit, but Memphis struck again in the final minute of extra time. With referee Deniz Aytekin ready to blow the final whistle, Memphis placed a perfect curling cross onto the head of midfielder Maroune Fellaini, who headed it past Bruzzese for a critical third goal.
In spite of notching a key away goal, Brugge trails Manchester United by two goals heading into the second leg in Bruges on August 26.
In other action, Lazio defeated Bayern Leverkusen, Astana outlasted APOEL and BATE edged Partizan all by 1-0 margins. Sporting CP also edged CSKA Moskva 2-1, as Islam Slimani notched the winning goal with eight minutes left in regulation.