Angel Di Maria, Louis Van Gaal Conflict Reported, Manchester United Exit Touted

Angel Di Maria is fed up with Louis van Gaal's management style and is seeking a move away from Manchester United, according to Duncan Castles of Goal.com.

This story has been followed by suggestion of a "fall-out" between the pair after United's win over Liverpool.

Continue for updates.

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Van Gaal-Di Maria 'Fall-out' After Liverpool Win

Wednesday, March 25

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News believes Van Gaal "berated" Di Maria in the aftermath of the Anfield victory. He suggests the Dutchman was "unhappy" with the player's performance and gave him a "dressing down" after the final whistle.

Comments from Van Gaal hinted Di Maria held onto the ball too long after entering the pitch as a substitute, per Luckhurst: "In the second-half everything is changing because of (Steven Gerrard's) red and then we are not anymore playing like a team. We are running with the ball, unnecessary losses of the ball, so that was not so good."

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Di Maria 'Intent' on Leaving Old Trafford

Tuesday, March 24

Castles previously indicated Di Maria is "intent" on departing at the end of the season, with Van Gaal's "destructive" management being blamed as the "principal reason" for his unhappiness.

The Argentinian has played multiple roles this season—central midfield, on the wing, as a supporting striker—with varying degrees of success. What has been stable, however, is his lack of consistency.

Di Maria has "lost confidence" in Van Gaal's chop-and-change style, according to Castles, who details another cause of annoyance for the ex-Real Madrid star: "Among a number of incidents that are said to have unsettled the 27-year-old, he also learned that the manager has told staff that he only bought him to the club because United were unable to sign his first choice for the position, Arturo Vidal."

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Jonathan Green of the Daily Star wrote, "Di Maria had asked his agent Jorge Mendes to find him a new club," with reports in Spain now linking Barcelona with a bid once their transfer ban ends in January 2016. Paris Saint-Germain—who came so close to signing Di Maria before succumbing to UEFA's financial fair play rules in the summer—are also said to be interested.

Di Maria previously hinted he could one day end up at the Parc des Princes, as reported by Telefoot (h/t Green): "It could have been a good experience for me to go to Paris. I know I'm still young, perhaps I'll go to PSG one day. I don't know how it will all end."

Castles noted United Executive Vice Chairman Ed Woodward is "against" selling Di Maria so soon after splashing a British-record £59.7 million on his services. In fact, Castles even details United's commitment to the transfer—including wages, performance bonuses and costs to Di Maria's former clubs—totalling around £130 million.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Simon Rice of The Independent believes Di Maria's reputation ensures he won't be sold at a transitional time for the club:

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Di Maria is also the type of "marquee" player that brings interest and prestige to a club at a time when the club are missing Champions League football and not guaranteed to be sitting at Europe's top table next season. Attracting that kind of calibre player next season if United do not finish in the top four will be difficult.

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Sam Pilger of B/R UK believes United winger Ashley Young is "certain to be replaced" by Di Maria next season. Di Maria came on for the Englishman during the Liverpool tie—a match he was benched for after being sent off against Arsenal—and grabbed a chipped assist for Juan Mata's second goal.

This has long been the hallmark of Di Maria's season. He once again showed a number of poor touches and wasteful passes but managed to produce one moment of quality.

The 27-year-old has tallied nine assists and three goals in 1,519 minutes of Premier League playing time, contributing to a goal every 126 minutes on average, per WhoScored.com. Considering how poor his overall game has been, there's the suggestion that Di Maria could become one of United's most important players if he finds a run of form.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Stan Collymore recently discussed summer signings who could help United become title challengers:

Di Maria firing on all cylinders, like he did during his final year with Madrid, would feel like an expensive new acquisition.

Reports of his unrest hardly come as a surprise—even the most optimistic of United fans are likely to admit Van Gaal's tinkering has been frustrating—but it would be disappointing to see the Argentinian move on without making a lasting impression.