Memphis Depay: Ryan Giggs says Depay will be the best free-kick taker at Manchester United since Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham

Giggs has challenged him to score 10 free-kicks a season

Ryan Giggs is excited by the signing of Memphis Depay (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United legend and assistant manager Ryan Giggs has hailed new £25m signing Memphis Depay, saying that he will be the best free-kick taker at the club since the great Cristiano Ronaldo, who left in 2009.

Ronaldo spent six trophy-laden years at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009. The Portuguese forward then joined Real Madrid for £80m in 2009 and won the Ballon d'Or for the third time this year.

"He is the type Old Trafford will warm to," Giggs told The Sunday Times. "He's an exciting player, but there's also substance behind it. He was top scorer in the Dutch league and got plenty of assists as well. He's a ‘United' type. Our fans demand exciting players, players who can get them off their seats and score spectacular goals.

"One thing we probably have lacked since Cristiano - and Becks (David Beckham) before him – is free kicks. And it looks like Depay has a great track record from free kicks as well.

"Over a season, if you can score more from free-kicks and corners it adds up and makes a real difference in winning games. So, no pressure…but hopefully he'll score 10 free kicks every year.

"Old Trafford is the right stage for a player like him," said Giggs. "Because if you try things that don't come off the fans will stay behind you. You're at a club where they want you to do things off the cuff, to entertain them."