5 Ways Angel Di Maria Can Turn Things Around at Manchester United
Angel Di Maria is going through a bad patch.
He was substituted at half-time during Manchester United's win over Sunderland and replaced after an hour of the win over Newcastle four days later.
Then, he was sent off against Arsenal during the FA Cup defeat and was suspended for the 3-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday. It has raised doubts about whether he'll start against Liverpool at Anfield this weekend.
United will need Di Maria to be playing well if they're going to finish in the top four this season and qualify for the Champions League.
Here's five ways he can rediscover some form. Feel free to use the comments section below to agree, disagree and add your own.
Consistency
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It's not so much what Di Maria can do for himself, but what Louis van Gaal can do for him. Off the pitch, Di Maria went through a huge change in the summer, swapping Spain for England, moving his family and trying to adapt to life in a new country with a new language. But there has been no consistency on the pitch, either. He's played in a diamond midfield, 3-5-2, behind the striker and up front. Consequently, there's been few opportunities for him to get into any kind of rhythm. He could do with a bit of consistency on the pitch at a time when there's very little off it.
Relax
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Even if he won't admit it in public, being the most expensive footballer in British football history comes with its own pressure. Plenty of good players who have had the tag have failed. But at times this season it's looked like Di Maria has been trying too hard. While he's searching for some form, he could do worse than relaxing a bit more and letting his instincts take over. It's worked for him in the past.
Stick to What You Know
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United's FA Cup tie with Arsenal will be remembered for Di Maria pulling at Michael Oliver's shirt and getting himself sent off. But in the first half he delivered a fantastic cross into the box for Wayne Rooney to score. It was a brief glimpse of his undoubted talent. He was signed in the summer to be United's talisman. But that won't happen overnight. In the meantime, if he keeps swinging crosses like that into the box for the strikers, Van Gaal and the fans will have few complaints.
Embrace the Change
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Moving your family to a different country is hard, especially one where you don't know the language. But there's something to be gained in Di Maria embracing the change. Life can seem pretty miserable when all you see is the training ground and the four walls of a hotel room, however plush it might be. Getting out and about might make Manchester feel a bit more like home. A day trip with Juan Mata, who has visited Chester and the Whitworth Gallery, would be a good start.
Remember How Good He Is
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Di Maria is struggling at the moment, that much is clear. But he hasn't turned into a bad player overnight. He was the best player on the pitch in last season's Champions League final. And he started well at United, scoring three goals in his first five games. Di Maria will come out of this minor slump, it's just a question of when. But when things aren't going right, it can feel like things might never click back into place. He is, though, still one of the best players in the world. He should take a minute every now and again to remember that.
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