'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
And Manchester United finally, emphatically, stylishly, delivered. Angel Di Maria showed up, embarking successfully on his mission to vindicate his British transfer record fee of £59.7 million.
The Argentine exuded class, orchestrating United's dominance and the flow, tempo and one-sided balance of United's 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers. He assumed a buccaneering role across the final third to perfection, was pivotal in three of United's goals and scored a mesmerizing free-kick of his own.
This should not evoke amazement though. Here is the man of the match from last season's Champions League final and the register of the most assists in all of Europe's top five leagues with an impressive tally of 17, imposing his magic on the Premier League and wowing English audiences.
He is a player heralded for his incredible assist-to-minutes ratio. No wonder Cristiano Ronaldo was so dismayed at his departure.
A classy No. 7 for Manchester United
United were not without fault, but Louis van Gaal will be immensely encouraged by Di Maria's class. The Argentine departed after 80 minutes with a troublesome case of cramps, his second bout having succumbed to fatigue at Burnley before the international break, as confirmed by Van Gaal.
Di Maria looked menacing in United's warm-up drills, granted a licence to wreak havoc in all areas of the pitch. As the Argentine, flanked by compatriot Marcos Rojo and fellow new arrivals Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao, ambled towards the tunnel at the consummation of his warm-up, the DJ at Old Trafford went into overdrive, playing "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" and "Express Yourself". How reflective.
Almost instantly, Di Maria had embarked on one of his trademark buccaneering runs, surging forward while shimmering with danger and delivering an enticing cross towards Robin van Persie. Rio Ferdinand, returning to Old Trafford after 12 successful years at the club, retained his composure to snuff out the danger.
Although deployed on the left of Van Gaal's 4-4-2 system, Di Maria was roaming across the final third and coming deep, covering for Blind when the Dutchman embarked on an intense pressing expedition in a bid to regain possession. He was trying to make things happen, being inventive and bold, flighting an impressive pass to Rojo before a promising United attack ruefully collapsed.
QPR could not shackle this elusive Argentine maestro, their unerring focus on Di Maria leaving Ander Herrera to operate freely. Clint Hill was late on the Spaniard, daft too, and Di Maria took full advantage, propelling the ball beyond a hesitant Rob Green and firmly into the net.
It was a brilliant delivery, dipping so ferociously it should have arrived embossed with the word ‘perfection’. He spoke afterwards of its premeditated nature, that he had spent training sessions practising, and it was what Ed Woodward had invested £60 million for. Di Maria wheeled away in jubilant celebration, forming a heart symbol with his hands, and it is an emotion United fans may harbour dearly towards him should performances of this outstanding level continue.
For a player already exuding confidence, the Argentine was perhaps overly sanguine, misjudging a pass intended for Wayne Rooney. He continued to gallop, tease and tirelessly run, sprinting down the left channel and crossing menacingly for Rooney who headed minimally wide.
His pace was crucial in carving open QPR's suspect resistance. For a player who secured the most assists in Europe last season, it was no surprise he registered two in 80 minutes. Displaying admirable determination, Di Maria overcame Leroy Fer's insipid lunge for the ball and surged forward, galloping 50 yards before threading in Rooney. The England striker nudged the ball into Herrera's path, the Spaniard producing a touch of Paul Scholes to drill past Green. That goal was of Di Maria's mercurial making.
Di Maria is a combination of skill and graft
United's No. 7 was running the show, stationed just inside his own half when QPR were in possession and representing the perfect armoury for a rapid and ruthless counter-attack.
He did not stop there. The World Cup finalist dispossessed Charlie Austin, and as he seemed primed to tear away and spearhead another United break, produced an exquisitely deft back-heel to elevate supporters from their seats in adulation.
Showbiz has returned to Old Trafford. As the Stretford End implored for United to "attack, attack, attack", Di Maria acquiesced, pressuring Ferdinand into almost relinquishing possession in a position of high hazard.
How do you solve a problem like Di Maria? QPR failed in their doomed endeavours to unearth answers, succumbing to Di Maria's creativity as his drilled cross, perhaps a mis-hit shot, led to United's fourth, Mata coolly lobbing over Green.
Di Maria is quickly become a fan favourite; he was treated to a warm ovation when he ambled to the corner flag, where a throng of United fans were housed to preside over his set-piece duties.
After 80 thrillingly impressive minutes, Di Maria departed with a cramp, Adnan Januzaj coming on as his replacement.
All that running. United finally have a new number 7 worthy of wearing the shirt.
