Even though Tyrell Malacia did not feature for the Netherlands in their 2-0 win over Senegal, there were a few former Manchester United players who did feature.
There were two former Man United players, who featured for the Dutch as Daley Blind played the entire 90 minutes at left-wing back and Memphis Depay, who was at United from 2015 til 2017, came on as a second half substitute and contributed to the second Netherlands goal.
The former United number 7 shot in the dying seconds of injury time was parried back into the danger zone by Chelsea’s Senegalese keeper, Edouard Mendy, which allowed Davy Klassen to score from close range.
Before Klassen’s goal secured the win, United summer target Cody Gakpo got himself on the scoresheet as he just beat the racing Mendy to head home after an excellent ball by another United summer target, Frenkie de Jong, to open his World Cup account and settle the Dutch nerves.
Netherlands, managed by former United boss Louis van Gaal had to work hard for their victory over the African Cup of Nations champions as Senegal defended resolutely and well-organised to keep the score goalless at half-time and for large parts of the second half before being breached in the 84th minute.
Senegal registered four shots on target, however, it was clear that they missed their talismanic attacker in Sadio Mane, who was ruled out of the World Cup last week [ESPN] as they just lacked that little bit of quality that Mane might have been able to provide.
Next up for the Netherlands and Tyrell Malacia, who will be hoping to feature in their next game, is a clash against Ecuador, which will kick-off at 4pm GMT on Friday 25 November.
