Manchester United: Analyzing Angel Di Maria's Recent Drop in Form

After a scintillating start to his Manchester United career, during which he contributed to six goals in his first five games (three goals, three assists), Angel Di Maria has entered a dry spell of form over the past few weeks.

While it is certainly not time to panic—he is still transitioning to a new team, league and country—it is important to know what has accounted for his recent dip in form.

One possible reason is the psychological effect of pressure, responsibility and nerves. However, this is a player who starred in the Champions League final and the World Cup (before he got hurt) and is certainly fairly battle tested in that regard.

But rather than suggesting Di Maria is cracking under the pressure of being United's best player, it needs to be said that opposing defenses are cracking down on the pacy Argentine.

While Di Maria is considered by many to have been one of Real Madrid's top performers last season, he was surrounded by fellow superstars in Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. As such, he often didn't get the respect he deserved. It is certainly easier to thrive when you have teammates deflecting attention away from you, and Di Maria was one of many Real players who La Liga teams had to worry about.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

At Old Trafford, Di Maria is no longer a key cog in the machine; he is the cog in the machine. The £59.7 million United paid for him shattered their previous record fee, and he was immediately given the famed number seven shirt upon arrival, immediately assuming tons of responsibility and expectation.

Even after an impressive summer window, United's squad is still far inferior to Real Madrid's, making the Argentine a clear-cut choice as United's best player, meaning he is the often the person an opponent is assigned to man mark and game-plans for.

Early on, however, this issue was solved by United's use of the diamond formation, with Di Maria played in the center alongside Ander Herrera. In these games, Di Maria was able to charge forward from a slightly deeper, central position, similar to the one he played in his final season at Madrid. With the trident of Wayne Rooney or Juan Mata, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao in front of him, the defense was forced to drop off, opening up the game and creating space for Di Maria's surging runs.

photo via WhoScored.com

In games vs. Everton, Leicester City, and Queens Park Rangers, during which the diamond was employed, the Argentine attempted 16 take-ons, completing nine, and created 10 chances (WhoScored.com and Squawka)

With Di Maria, Falcao, Van Persie and Rooney sharing the field together, the team showcased a fluid attack, but they were unimpressive in defense, conceding five goals to Leicester City in a shocking loss. Following the loss to Leicester and a Wayne Rooney red card against West Ham (which would rule him out for the next three games), United's tactical look shifted greatly.

Louis Van Gaal switched to a 4-1-4-1 setup, employing five in midfield to quell the attacks of opposing sides and switched out Ander Herrera for the physical Marouane Fellaini. Since this switch, the back four—especially Paddy McNair—have found their feet and United have produced some industrious defensive displays, conceding only two goals in their last three matches.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

By the same token, Di Maria has been ousted to the wing, often unable to get in behind the defense. He is still being aggressive—he completed four out of eight take-ons against Crystal Palace—but there is simply no longer any space for him to run into after he beats a player.

With United's compact, defensive setup, the disappointing Van Persie up front and the invisible Wayne Rooney currently playing in midfield, Di Maria is by far and away the team's best attacker, but the Reds are currently preventing themselves from the playing open, attacking football that really shows their talents.

Ultimately, Van Gaal was right to turn to a cautious lineup after United started the season with a leaky defense.

But now, with defensive progress made and strong form from Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw, the time is right to return to the diamond and let Di Maria thrive once again.

All stats and info via Squawka and WhoScored.com