Manchester United Transfer News: Angel Di Maria Sale Urged Amid Gareth Bale Talk

Former Arsenal and Celtic forward Charlie Nicholas believes Manchester United should sell Angel Di Maria and focus on signing Real Madrid's Gareth Bale this summer.

The Sky Sports pundit suggests United boss Louis van Gaal should take a ruthless approach to business when the transfer market opens:

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If you want to make a serious statement, then you need to throw everything at getting Gareth Bale. He's the sort of player that can create a massive excitement and help United make an immediate impact when they return to the Champions League.

I think Bale would be open to returning to the Premier League, even if he wouldn't say it. United can say to him, 'you've been successful in Spain winning the Champions League but after your ups and downs, you can come here and be our Ronaldo, rather than playing second fiddle.'

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Nicholas indicates the misfiring Di Maria is no longer needed, saying, "They need to offload Di Maria, who came in and offered a lot of energy but now doesn't seem totally committed like he did at Real Madrid."

Bale has repeatedly been linked with a move to Old Trafford since securing his switch to Spain in 2013. Although United offered more money than the £85 million it took for Madrid to sign the Welshman, his signature remains elusive for the Premier League club.

The former Tottenham star's impact at the Bernabeu was palpable, as he scored vital goals in the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League finals during his debut season. This year's injury problems and troubled form—which has seen him labelled "ball hog" and booed by Madrid fans—continues to suggest he isn't best suited to a long career in La Liga.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Thom Gibbs recently considered whether Bale would be a better signing than his team-mate and United hero, Cristiano Ronaldo:

Perhaps the opposite can be said of Di Maria, who excelled in an underrated role at Madrid before frustrating in the limelight of Manchester. The 27-year-old has also struggled for form and fitness this season but has grabbed 10 assists and three goals in 25 appearances, per WhoScored.com.

The Argentinian's overall play remains shoddy, though, and he's consistently failing to make simple passes or influence the game with the ball at his feet. It's likely the opinion of many United fans is currently stuck between what they know Di Maria can do and what he's currently doing for the side.

Paris Saint-Germain owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi recently told Le Parisien (h/t Harry Sherlock of Goal.com) that Di Maria wouldn't be at United if UEFA's spending rules hadn't limited the French side last summer.

"This is a big problem for UEFA now," Al-Khelaifi said. "UEFA must change the rules. I trust them. Last year, we were handicapped and we were clearly slowed (in the transfer market). Without these sanctions, we can imagine that Di Maria would be at PSG this season."

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Costing a British transfer record of £59.7 million, Di Maria needs an excellent second year in England if he's to be deemed anything other than a colossal waste of money.

Bale established his name in the Premier League—scoring 21 in his final season with Spurs—and could make a major impact at the club. It's unlikely Van Gaal will move Di Maria on so soon, though, especially as the No. 7 has plenty more to give.

United's summer is destined to be busy, whether they qualify for the Champions League or not.