In his first appearance in England since agreeing a £25million move to Old Trafford as soon as the transfer window opens, he took to the stage to say that he sees his permanent arrival in the country as a chance to reach the very highest level in the game.
Speaking at the launch of Under Armour's new Speedform football boot at Vinopolis in Borough Market, Depay revealed: "'Dream chaser' stands for me chasing my dreams. I believe I can be one of the best players in the world and I have to dream and believe to achieve. It is tattooed on my chest."
However, putting actions into words is not normally so simple. Having first broken onto the world stage with his performances in Van Gaal's Dutch team which finished third in Rio, Depay shunned overtures from Tottenham last season and has led PSV to the Dutch title instead and is a game away from being crowned the Eredivisie's top scorer.
"I don't have a secret – you just have to work every day on your dreams," he said. "My dreams started with going to the World Cup and then when I was there I scored two goals - becoming the youngest ever Dutch goalscorer – and I was very happy.
"But when the World Cup was finished I realised that was not it. I had to take more onto the pitch – there was more to do.
"So after the World Cup in pre-season I spoke to my manager and said I have to keep focused. Scoring in the World Cup was good but not the end of it. Now I am on fire."
A discussion with new club manager Van Gaal helped edge him towards spending an extra year in Holland where he could further hone his skills rather than sit on the fat pay cheque a move to the Premier League at that stage could offer him.
"He is different," Depay said of Van Gaal. "His performance on the training ground is different from other trainers. After the World Cup he told me to stay hungry and I told myself to stay hungry. When I made the decision to stay I wanted to be champion and top scorer. I set those goals and I hope to achieve them.
"It will be great to have an opportunity to train with him and work with him.
"I made the choice to stay an extra year together with my manager at PSV and the people around me. It was a good choice, I think?
We became champions in the Dutch league and with one more game left I can become top scorer. That’s a good choice, yeah?
Big day today, off to England for the new@UnderArmour football boots launch?? pic.twitter.com/dDfSpiPhLZ
— Memphis (@MemphisDepay) May 13, 2015
"I have learned more every day. It is to do with how many games you play and how many situations you face on the pitch."
The scrutiny will be intense once he kicks off next season in a United shirt but the 21-year-old is confident he has the ability to cope.
The Premier League has been a mixed bag for Dutch internationals – some supreme successes and some disappointing failures. Depay believes he has done his homework.
"I want to improve myself by playing in England and it is unknown but Dutch players have played also in the Premier League and I spoke with many of them," he said. "Arjen Robben, for instance, is a good player and he helped me a lot with the international team.
"I believe I can be a big player in the Premier League - I showed my ability in the World Cup."
Whether he is given the coveted No 7 shirt at United – the same number he wears at PSV – has a lot to do with the future of Angel Di Maria. But even before he sets foot in Old Trafford his international colleagues are comparing him with one of the greatest United No 7s of all – Cristiano Ronaldo.
"I heard Leroy Fer speak about it and it is great to hear that from other players," Depay said. "If you read it in the media it is great, but I am 21 and I have not reached the level of Cristiano Ronaldo. He is a big hero for me and one day I hope to reach that level. He scores so many goals and I want to fight to be one of the best players in the world."
Engineered for precision fit and feel, introducing the new Under Armour #SpeedForm FG Boot with@MemphisDepay. #IWILL pic.twitter.com/5UxYZrONVw
— Under Armour UK (@UnderArmourUK) May 13, 2015
And Depay is not hiding – he is happy to be judged by Manchester United fans out-and-out on his goalscoring record.
"Statistics don't lie," he said. "I want to play every game as soon as possible and improve myself. But it is the result that counts, and scoring goals is the job. So for me that is really important because I am a striker.
"The manager needs me there to score goals. It is 60 per cent of the judgment of a player. If I don't score goals or get assists, I am not doing my job."
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