What Does the Future Hold for Manchester United's Angel Di Maria?
Despite not scoring, Angel Di Maria was arguably the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League final's pre-eminent player—his Real Madrid side beating cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 in extra time.
Though habitually criticised for dubious decision-making, UEFA—with Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo to choose from—thought along similar lines and awarded the Argentinian their "Man of the Match" honour.
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A crucial piece in Madrid reaching the coveted "La Decima," their 10th European title, one might have considered it blasphemous for Di Maria not to resume his Santiago Bernabeu duties in 2014/15. However, after summer acquisitions of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, Real found Di Maria surplus to requirements—putting him on the proverbial auction block.
There was no shortage of suitors—Hugo Cerezo of Spanish paper Marca (in Spanish) suggested Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea were all interested in the then-26-year-old's services.
Manchester United did not start 2014/15 in tremendous form. Losing their 16 August opener to Swansea City, then drawing vs. Sunderland one week later, Louis van Gaal needed fresh impetus—if not a distraction—as his inaugural season in the Premier League had not exactly taken flight.
Knowing Real Madrid were one attacking midfielder heavy, the Red Devils made British-transfer-record history in acquiring Di Maria for £59.7 million on 26 August.
United's purchase seemed to work wonders. Di Maria scored three goals in his first five EPL appearances, and Van Gaal's side won nine of 14 league games after the Argentinian's arrival. Since his red-hot start, however, United's record signing has cooled off dramatically. After 21 Premier League appearances, Di Maria still sits on three goals, and should recent signs be any indication—his total will not increase much by season's end.
A confluence of recuperating from injury, incessant team shuffling and personal ill-discipline have found Di Maria on the bench, culminating in United's past two matches vs. Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. Whether by luck or skill, Van Gaal has found balance and since beating both top-four contenders in successive weeks, the rumour vacuum has sucked Di Maria's name in once again.
Spending approximately £60 million on one footballer, the chances Manchester United sell their new "No. 7" after one season are nominal at best.
Firstly, the Red Devils cannot, in good conscience, expect to recoup last summer's transfer fee—Di Maria was at the peak of his value, and United took the bait. Secondly, Van Gaal's 4-3-3 variant functioning now does not equate to its future staying power—managers need options during matches and from game to game, so selling a top-15 global talent does the club no favours long term.
Lastly, and most importantly, should Manchester United maintain their current top-four position in the Premier League, entering the 2015/16 Champions League without players of Di Maria's calibre is begging for controversy and an early exit.
These reasons would make selling appear near impossible, but the player could create untenable conditions, irrespective of United's logic.
The Independent's Simon Rice indicates Di Maria has asked his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find him a new club; Spanish reports link Barcelona and last summer's contenders—specifically PSG and Juventus—as potential landing spots. Further stories of Van Gaal confronting the Argentina international, as reported by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, have only fanned these flames higher.
As seen with Luis Suarez and Liverpool in 2013, though, when a player is under contract—no matter the surrounding circumstances—the club's prerogative usually triumphs.
What might this mean for Di Maria in 2015/16?
It is relatively simple. Though he might want to leave, should United retain him and he plays to his potential, all miscellaneous issues will dissipate into the background.
Starting his Manchester career with such ease, Di Maria might have made the notion "players need an acclimation period" sound outdated, but the sentiment is proved on an annual basis. Victim of an attempted home invasion on 31 January—as noted by ESPN FC's Richard Jolly—plying his trade in new surroundings and dealing with hamstring/pelvic injuries, the £60 million man struggling through portions of 2014/15 is understandable.
Next season, however, after 12 months of comprehending Premier League football and Van Gaal's spasmodic tactical arrangements—given the proper platform—there seems little reason to expect anything other than Di Maria producing better results.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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