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Ahead of the recently completed season, Manchester United’s objective was to regain a place in the Champions League, which Louis van Gaal has achieved. The bar may well be lifted slightly higher next term as the Old Trafford that spend their hard-earned money to watch their team crave a return to the glory days.
Although the campaign has had its fair share of positives, one of the perceived negatives of the season was the form of Angel Di Maria. Signed for an extortionate transfer fee from Real Madrid, this Champions League-winning attacker’s arrival was treated with excitement from the Red Devils fans but the Argentine had a season to forget.
By the end of the campaign, Van Gaal was preferring the much-derived Ashley Young ahead of the club’s record signing, which shows just how far the mighty have fallen. Despite the fact that the Argentina international has not shown his best form at the Manchester club as yet, it would be foolish to write Di Maria off.
Although transfer rumours are starting to swirl around stating that the South American could leave the club, United will not be ready to cut their losses on the star just yet. It is worth noting that despite the fact Di Maria has not been at his best, the former Madrid man offered up ten Premier League assists; the most of any United player and more than Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero or Alexis Sanchez.
A key issue over Di Maria has been the question over where he is best deployed, with Van Gaal guilty of chopping and changing the Argentine’s position in the team. Ahead of next season, with the South American having more time to acclimatise to the club and his new surrounds, the Rosario Central youth graduate will surely be ready to start 2015-16 with a bang.
The old adage that form is temporary and class is permanent applies here, with the skilful winger having the ability to be a Premier League star if he can get back to his best. Unleashing the Argentine in a fluid attacking system that is based around possession and swift counter-attacking could well get the best out of this star, who on his day is one of the best attacking midfielders in the business.
