Why Di Maria has gone from £60m star to flop in a matter of months.
In one of the most surprising scenarios of the season, Angel Di Maria has been a hugely disappointing player for Manchester United since the turn of the year, so why has it gone so wrong for the £60m Argentine?
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1) Off-the-pitch problems
It is well known that Angel Di Maria and his family were the victim of a burglary just a couple of months back. Having started well at Old Trafford, it wouldn’t be surprising if an off-the-pitch incident such as this, which will have been quite a shock for the player and the rest of his family, could badly affect his mood and subsequently his form for the team.
2) Motivation
Despite being one of Real Madrid’s best players in their superb Champions League Decima-winning season last year, Di Maria was flogged as soon as the prospect of signing a bigger Galactico came along and James Rodriguez was brought in as the Argentine’s replacement. Harshly treated by Real, one has to wonder if the 27-year-old is struggling to motivate himself at his new club after seeing little personal reward or recognition for his efforts at the Bernabeu.
3) Pressure of price tag
One of many Galactico stars at Real – Di Maria was arguably nowhere near as big a name as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale around him, and will have been allowed to perform under considerably less pressure than now, when he has become the most expensive footballer in British history and the biggest name in this United team. With that kind of hype surrounding his arrival, it’s no question any dip in form is always going to be noticed and pounced upon by fans and pundits alike.
4) Burn-out
It’s easy to forget that players are human and have their limits. Di Maria’s tiring 2014 is surely coming back to haunt him now after a long run of fiercely competitive games in La Liga, the Copa Del Rey, the Champions League and then the World Cup for Argentina in the summer. Having to then arrived at United without a proper rest or chance to warm up slowly in pre-season, burn-out could surely be playing a part in the player’s dip in form.
5) Van Gaal’s tactics
Like it or not, even a £60m playmaker isn’t going to necessarily shine upfront or on the wing. Di Maria has played his best games in a central midfield role this season, as he did for Real last season, so that’s where he should be used. Louis van Gaal’s tactics have no doubt hindered the Argentine’s development, and it could be that the slow passing game adopted by the Dutchman isn’t really getting the best out of him either, in comparison to the fast, direct, counter-attacking play at Real Madrid.
6) Playing in a worse team
Sorry United fans, but it’s got to be said that a player like Di Maria is also going to shine a lot brighter when playing with big names like Ronaldo and Benzema, as he did for Real, or Messi, as he does for Argentina. At United, the 27-year-old is playing in a team in transition, with a number of struggling stars failing to reach top form. With assists his main job, his stats would surely be boosted if Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were a bit more on top of their game in front of goal.