Why Angel Di Maria Must Lead Attack in New-Look Argentina & Manchester United

The coming season could be all about one man. New Manchester United signing Angel Di Maria is ready for a new stage in his career, and not just at Old Trafford. 

The former Rosario Central, Benfica and Real Madrid winger sees Gerardo Martino, like Fideo and Lionel Messi a native of Argentina's Cradle of the Flag, take over at the helm of the Albiceleste. If first impressions can be trusted, it may prove to be an extremely fruitful partnership. 

Itching to show his worth after a disappointing, injury and fatigue-interrupted World Cup campaign, Di Maria was simply fantastic against Germany in Martino's national team debut. Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela and Federico Fernandez all benefited from his magical left foot as he pitched in with three assists. 

The first two of that trio were passes as good as you will see across the whole 2014/15 campaign. But still there was a little more to come. 

Having drifted over to the right flank, Di Maria played a neat one-two with Pablo Zabaleta that set him haring towards goal. Manuel Neuer stood up tall, but could do nothing to stop the winger looping the ball perfectly over his head, adding Argentina's fourth in a game sorely needed to start burying the ghosts of the Maracana Stadium. 

It was a majestic performance from Fideo. But more than that, it was the first indication that Martino, also eager to enhance his reputation after a disappointing season with Barcelona, has big plans for the star in the Albiceleste. 

While Alejandro Sabella utilized Di Maria further back down the field, on the left-hand side of a midfield three, albeit with license to get forward, the new man on the bench went a little further. Fideo's new role was firmly upfront in a 4-3-3 setup, giving him permission to run riot as he did so effectively in the Bernabeu until Madrid inexplicably decided to cut loose their hardest-working soldier. 

This is where he belongs. Playing in such an advanced role, admittedly against a Germany team that was a pale shadow of the highly-drilled World Cup side, gives him the freedom to move across the final third, linking up with the likes of Sergio Aguero and Erik Lamela and probing the defence from every angle imaginable. 

Who says that an orthodox centre-forward is necessary for success? When a fully fit Lionel Messi comes back into the fold, a Kun-Fideo-Pulga trident would strike fear into the hearts of any international team and is a recipe for victory in next year's Copa America. 

Without the ball, as well, the setup makes sense. Martino is a paid-up disciple of the Marcelo Bielsa school of coaching, having captained Newell's Old Boys under El Loco in the Rosario club's most successful era back in the early 90s. He likes to press incessantly, giving the opposition no time to settle and utilize his forwards to hassle and harry almost from the goalkeeper onward. 

With limitless commitment and a frightening stamina reserve, Di Maria can carry out this role for every single second of the 90 minutes. 

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

If one adds to the mix Erik Lamela further down the field, it is difficult to see Argentina losing weight in midfield. The Tottenham man is used to playing on the left side of midfield, and he has the physical and mental strength to replace Di Maria in the engine room should Martino choose to make the attacking switch permanent. 

Such a move would also have interesting ramifications in north England. Manchester United coach Louis Van Gaal has an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal, meaning Fideo is more likely to play in midfield, his Argentina role under Sabella, than as an out-and-out forward. Still, the prospect of Di Maria, Falcao and Robin Van Persie lining up together would strike fear in the hearts of the Premier League. 

Few players have improved as much as the lanky left-footed winger over the last three years. Di Maria has transformed his game, adding intelligence and restraint to his raw dribbling talent to become one of the world's most effective wide men. To put it simply, the Rosario man could play in almost any position and still be an asset. 

But to truly get the best out of this singular talent, he needs to be in the thick of the action. If Martino and Van Gaal have the courage to put Di Maria upfront, he can repay their faith with a fantastic season over the next 12 months.