Angel Di Maria was man of the match in last season’s Champions League final but just three months later he found himself surplus to requirements in the Spanish capital. If a week is a long time in football, then three months is a virtual eternity.
Desperate for new signings, Manchester United scoured Europe for top talent and unsurprisingly it didn’t take them long to come across the man they call Fideo, the noodle. United fans will hope that he can provide the spark to lift the gloom that has surrounded Old Trafford in recent weeks, but where will Louis Van Gaal play him in his revamped first XI?
A central cog in United’s midfield misfiring engine room?
When most people talk about Di Maria, they refer to a winger in a four man midfield or wide man in an attacking triumvirate behind a central striker such as Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain. While there is some truth in this perception, both at the World Cup in Brazil and for much of last season at Real Madrid, Di Maria operated as a central midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation.
For his national team, Di Maria’s importance was outlined by his manager Alejandro Sabella even before the tournament began when he referred to his midfield maestro as ‘vital, almost irreplaceable’. Acting as the link between the midfield and defence, Di Maria provided the perfect foil to the combative duo of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia. His best performance came in the quarter final against Belgium. Dovetailing well with Lionel Messi, he provided the drive to a team in desperate need of the second goal to calm fraying nerves after Higuaín’s opener.
At Real meanwhile, it appeared his days were numbered when Gareth Bale arrived to take his place in Los Blancos’ starting line-up. Soon after however, an unexpected chance presented itself. When Sami Khedira suffered a long term injury just months into the new season, Carlo Ancelotti was forced to use his number 22 in an unfamiliar role. In a midfield three alongside Xabi Alonso and Luka Modrić, Di Maria adapted quickly and ultimately flourished, providing 17 assists in La Liga last season. In the end, it was on Europe’s biggest stage when Angel’s star shone brightest. His skill stood out in the Champions League final against Atlético and it was fitting that it was his surging run that set up Bale for the winner in extra time.
Di Maria as a wide man by David Wood
Alternatively, Di Maria could play wide, as he has for the majority of his career. Assuming Van Gaal perseveres with his 3-4-1-2 formation, this would mean in one of the wing-back positions. In terms of the left side, there are already sufficient options in the form of Shaw, Rojo and Blind so right wing-back would seem more likely. Di Maria certainly has the stamina required for the role, but his tendency to roam infield could leave United exposed should he be used there. The Argentinean is at his best when he has the freedom to move across the pitch and pull opponents out of position, but at right wing-back he would be restrained in his ability to do this. As the only player occupying the right flank it is necessary to stick wide and be disciplined with your positioning. This would fail to get the best out of Di Maria, and Antonio Valencia or Rafael are more suited to the role.
If Di Maria is employed wide it is more likely to be in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, which Van Gaal will likely use as an alternative to his favoured system. In this scenario Di Maria could play on both flanks, where he provides excellent service to the forwards. His awareness of his teammates and crossing ability were perfectly showcased in Argentina’s 4-2 friendly win in Germany last Wednesday, in which he assisted his side’s first three goals, all from wide positions. It is the extra space in these areas that allows him to run on the ball and send dangerous deliveries into the box. United’s strikers certainly won’t be short of service when he’s on the pitch, and he could well make the difference between reaching the Champions League and falling short.
Summary
So there it is. Whether Di Maria plays as a creative midfielder or flying winger for the Red Devils, he will definitely make an impact. The Argentine would be an asset to any team and Real Madrid’s loss is most certainly Manchester United’s gain.
Dan Brimson 