Diego Costa, Alexis Sanchez Better Value Than Angel Di Maria, Says Michael Owen

Former Manchester United and England star Michael Owen has criticised the Red Devils' record signing Angel Di Maria, saying both Diego Costa and Alexis Sanchez appear to be much better "value" than the £60 million player.

Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, who labels the Argentina star a "flop," quotes the former United No. 7 praising Chelsea and Arsenal's primary buys from the summer transfer window:

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I think him [Sanchez] and Costa look real value for money. I'd say those two were better value than the likes of [Angel] Di Maria and [James] Rodriguez.

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Di Maria arrived at Old Trafford shortly after the World Cup, after his country made it all the way to the final, only to fall at the feet of Germany.

His price-tag ensures he will remain under scrutiny in every match for his new team but his contribution to Real Madrid's La Decima success last season was central to the price that Louis van Gaal paid for him.

Costa has started his Chelsea career in the exact same form that he displayed at Atletico Madrid. The Spain striker has featured 11 times for Jose Mourinho in the Premier League—and scored 11 goals, per WhoScored.com, repaying the Special One's faith.

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Sanchez has also begun his time in England successfully and has been Arsenal's best player by some distance. The attacking midfielder has netted 11 times in 17 Premier League and Champions League games, per WhoScored, justifying Arsene Wenger's pursuit of the Chile superstar.

The 26-year-old Di Maria started United's campaign strongly but his form has since gone off the boil. His early performances suggested he would not struggle with life after La Liga but a positional change has recently affected his consistency.

Van Gaal started ADM in a deeper central midfield role after his arrival in the north-west, playing an attacking 4-4-2 diamond. But the coach has since reverted to a 4-1-4-1, positioning the Argentine out on the wing.

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The player's overall stats are still strong—having been directly involved in nine goals for United in his 11 domestic league outings, as recorded by WhoScored. He certainly cannot be described as a flop, at present.

And the winger has certainly strengthened United's midfield, which has been a cause for concern for many years, despite the club still winning trophies over the seasons.

Football writer Richard Laverty commented about the new-found strength in the middle of the park for the Reds, with Di Maria central to the cast:

There is no doubt that United paid a huge premium for Di Maria but the player's stock has rocketed in the past 12 months.

Madrid's counter-attack style was perfect for the player to showcase his talents but his overall role might develop into something different at Old Trafford.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Both Costa and Sanchez have been sensational and Owen is correct to highlight the value they represent.

But the fact that Atletico do not dine at the top table of European football, despite their extraordinary success in recent times, and the reality that Sanchez was surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou meant their prices were much more agreeable to their purchasing clubs.

Only time will tell if ADM is a success at United but he is a team player and that is exactly what the club requires at present. He has the skill and threat of a world-class standard but LvG must find a way to utilise him in a system that does not stifle his natural ability.

As yet he has not quite achieved this.