Angel Di Maria Still Vital to Manchester United Despite Good Form in His Absence

It is the source of much encouragement for Manchester United fans that the recent upturn in form, much of it anyway, has been achieved without their best player.

Injured during the 3-0 win over Hull in November, Angel Di Maria, the most expensive player in British football history, hasn't been able to start any of the last five games.

Impressive wins away to Southampton and against Liverpool at home were registered without the Argentinian, signed at a cost of nearly £60 million, in the team.

If United are capable of cementing a place in the top four without Di Maria, then what might happen when he returns? Louis van Gaal, for one, hasn't given up on the title just yet.

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Di Maria, though, isn't just fancy window dressing. Even with some of the best attacking players in the world in the squad, he's vital to what United are hoping to do this season. 

They've not looked comfortable at the back. Van Gaal has used two systems, both a three- and a four-man defensive. More than that, injuries and suspensions have forced him to use 22 different centre-back combinations. 

Even during the run of seven wins from their last eight games, they have endured some nervous moments. It's possible Van Gaal might not be able to remedy this until the summer, when he can sign long-term replacements for Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

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Before then, United will need to score goals to win games. And not just one. Often two or three. And that's where Di Maria comes in.

United have started to hit their stride going forward. Robin van Persie has scored five goals in his last six games. Radamel Falcao is fit again and, against Newcastle, Juan Mata had arguably his best game in a United shirt. Wayne Rooney looks to be enjoying his new role in midfield, too, scoring against Liverpool and Newcastle.

But, in full flow, Di Maria is still United's most frightening forward. Pace scares even the best defences, and the former Real Madrid winger has it in bucketloads. Without him, United have had to find another way to win.

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Any pace has been supplied by the wing-backs, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young. The goals have come from the craft and invention of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie. But with Di Maria, United can stretch teams, making them defend deeper, scared he'll run in behind.

Van Gaal's team are winning games and their 3-1 victory over Newcastle on Boxing Day was one of their best performances of the season. But they're still missing Di Maria. Without him, United have made sure a top-four finish will be in their hands during the second half of the season. 

Van Gaal, however, is still aiming for more. Liverpool showed last season you can get close to winning the title with fearless attacking football and little more. If United hope to do something similar this season, then Di Maria will need to play a central role.