Angel Di Maria Injury: Updates on Manchester United Star's Thigh and Return

Manchester United have a massive match looming on Sunday against league leaders Chelsea, and Angel Di Maria faces a race against time to be fit due to a thigh problem picked up at West Brom.

Latest update from Friday, Oct. 24

Manchester United's official Twitter feed has an update on Di Maria:

Original article from Tuesday, Oct. 21

According to Richard Jolly of ESPN FC, midfielder Angel Di Maria is currently nursing a thigh injury. He is scheduled to undergo a scan, and although the ailment isn't believed to be serious, his status for the upcoming match is in question.

The Argentinian star suffered the injury in Monday's 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion as he left the pitch in the 77th minute, per the Premier League's official Twitter account:

Di Maria has unquestionably been United's best player since signing him away from Real Madrid in August. That notion is backed up by the stats as he has accounted for more than one goal per game as a Red Devil, according to OptaJoe:

In fact, the 26-year-old superstar is outperforming his teammates by a wide margin when it comes to applying pressure in attack, per Squawka Football:

Di Maria has been praised by many for his elite form in the Premier League, including Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs, according to PremierLeague.com: "Di Maria especially excites you. He's the kind of player you would go and pay good money to go and watch because he gets from box to box so quickly, dribbles, makes goals, scores goals and works hard as well."

United have looked like a far better team since Di Maria arrived, and they are currently sixth in the standings. A win over Chelsea would pull them to within seven points of the top spot, and it would help their confidence level immensely as well.

If Di Maria is unable to play, however, that may be a nearly impossible task. Although Manchester United have a great deal of talent aside from Di Maria, he has been the straw that stirs the drink. 

Even if his injury isn't a long-term concern, United's title hopes could be dashed if he isn't fit by Sunday.

Update from Thursday, Oct. 23

United officials are growing increasingly confident that Di Maria will make Sunday's game, according to Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail:

"

There has been no official word on his fitness from the club but the former Real Madrid star was at Carrington for some light remedial work on Wednesday and sources have suggested the Argentina international has a decent chance of making Sunday’s game against the league leaders at Old Trafford.

‘It was just a kick,’ said one Old Trafford source.

"

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