Angel di Maria was supposed to be Premier League’s next big thing, and Manchester United’s X factor to having a successful season this time around. It hasn’t been the case. Even though di Maria has been far from a “flop” in the traditional sense, when one compares to his exploits with Real Madrid in the recent past, his contributions in the Red Devils shirt have not been as convincing. Of course, one can always claim that at Real Madrid, the Argentinean had the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale on his side while at United, he has the likes of Fellaini, Young and the faded Robin van Persie. Still, a bigger individual contribution from the former Benfica player was expected.
Since making the switch from Spain in a A?59million transfer record British transfer last summer, the attacker has scored four times in 27 appearances. He has been withdrawn early by Louis van Gaal on many occasions and the Champions League final man of the match last season, doesn’t look too settled in England at the moment.
Despite assisting Wayne Rooney’s equalizer against Arsenal in the FA cup quarter-final, di Maria was in the headlines for needlessly getting sent off after needlessly picking up two yellow cards in eight seconds as he tugged the shirt of referee Michael Oliver after being booked initially for simulation.
There have been links that di Maria could move on to PSG only after one year with the Manchester club. The French giants were interested in the 27 year old last summer as well, but the Argentinean international opted to move to England after PSG couldn’t pull the deal off due to financial reasons. The player even spoke on the matter and didn’t rule out a move in the future.
“PSG, I think they had a money problem and they couldna t buy players,’ Di Maria said in an interview with French broadcaster Telefoot.
“This is the main reason I didna t go there. Playing in the French league would please a lot of players. Now Ia m in the English league. But you never know, there is a lot of movements in football. You can never predict where youa re going to play”.
Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker opined that both the club as well as the player need to cut their losses and move on. Parker, who played 82 Premier League games for the Red Devils, said that the player is better suited for Arsenal or for Chelsea.
a The only way it is going to work out for Di Maria, the only way he is going to get back to being the player he was before, is to move on,a Parker told Eurosport.
a PSG would suit him nicely, as would going back to Real Madrid. In England, Arsenal are the best fit for the way they shift the ball around quickly in midfield, but even Chelsea would be a better home for him than United as they are a bit more expressive now.a
Manager Louis van Gaal also said after the game that the attacker had no excuses for his behavior:
“I think he’s touched the referee and that’s forbidden in every country, so he has no excuses.”