A review of the one season Maria spent at old trafford could explain the reason why it went wrong for him at the world class club. It is quite understandable why the hilarious strike of Mata against Liverpool won the clubs goal of the year, but that Maria's strike against Leicester at the second leg of the season in September was also one of its kind an "awesome strike".
Match commentator and also a former united right center back Garry Neville said that, that wonderful strike against Leicester was not unexpected as that was what everybody was expecting from the Argentina man, he continued to say that if only united had won that match it could have been the perfect match for coach Van Gaal to boast of his choice of the record breaking $53 million signing "Angel Di-maria".
"If united had won, that united 5-3 loss to Leicester could have been a gadget" the former united man Gary Neville depicted it to be “an example of everything I expected Di Maria to bring to the Premier League - pace, audacity and a moment of magic capable of turning a game”. but the loss seemed to have broken the diamond pot of Di Maria’s first united year.
A lot of factor has been suspected to be reasons for the underperformance experienced by the attacker this season the united therapist had reported that psychologically, maria was troubled for reasons like his leaving Madrid against his inner mind wishes, family problems which included a recent burglary attack in his family house, also the communication problem i.e his inability to speak English had also not helped maters.
The last game of the Argentine attacker at Real Madrid was followed with a man of the match recognition at the uefa champions league finals which he won with real against their Spanish counter parts Atletico Madrid. According to Neville "Maria's performance that night was spectacular" and he described the player as a star with quality and commitment.
Maria at the finals, made fine touches and finishings with the ball, combined with awesome body movements. He completed the highest number of dribbles more than Cristiano Ronaldo, made more crosses and completed passes. At the match, he stood like a giant when and when not with the ball.
Neville had explained that Maria was expected to be the perfect choice for the unstable Man utd team in the market then, he added "after the champions league finals i thought maria to be the saviour who would add pace, impetus audacity and also tremendously present the moments of magic capable of turning a game which was exactly what united needed". I never for once thought that united was making a mistake for signing maria at that whooping sum said Gary.
Well, Gary could be right because his thought is actually concurring with a majority of the united fans but the truth is that the 24 year old is not used to carrying the burden a fledging/problematic team on his shoulders this could also happen when expectation are very high.
The Madrid 18 men champions league squad are on the list of the most expensive players on the planet but inspite the hike fee, Manchester united took him.Di Maria's acceptance to join united meant he had accepted the role of a workman, a role he is not used to. Anyways at sometime, all blame shouldn't be on him as the coach had not played him on the numbers he could give maximum values, he kept being fluctuated between left winger through center midfielder to the right winger whereas at Madrid, he was the point left winger.
Maria had the record of creating the most assist in Europes major league than any other player but his one year in Manchester had not been good at all, he made only 10 assists though he started only 20 matches. his assist tally last season in EPL was followed by Cesc Fabregas and Santi Carzola.
On his assist records, maria created an assist every 164 minutes thus creating 2.85 chances in a particular game which is negative judging from his Madrid record of 3.41 chances per game. Even at this, it was not a total flop it still testifies of his ability to turn the game around when needed.
Not forgetting that coach Van Gaals style of play didn't go down well on the side and tactics of Di Maria, the dutch man is know for his daring approach to players to do what they've not done before, but this approach has been noticed to only work well with young players and not with the one who has made the fame and cash and with the tactics thus Maria's off-the -cuff style was perhaps not what the coach needed.
Marias performances on the pitch in key matches could have led to his departure, a player of his quality was looked up to at crucial matches like that against West Ham united on February and the FA cup semi finals against Arsenal. He had failed to deliver mostly when needed which is unlike him at Benfica and Real Madrid.
According to Van Gaal "Di maria may not be able to say that his season at united was fine no! but its nobody's fault, a player has to adapt to the philosophy of the coach and the league in which he finds himself". The English premiere league has a high standard and as a result the most difficult league all over Europe said the boss.
As blame are hovering around, the united boss should not be kept out of the circumference as a coach who had agreed to that huge signing of a player he believed could be a material in the type of team he is trying to build, should have understood the circumstances behind his undermined performances and managed to help the player in the process of adjustment rather than putting him out of his team selection and up for sell.
The Argentine winger in some matches which the united coach termed as crucial was not used correctly in the positions that could make him desirably efficient, like the match against Southampton when he was left stranded on the pitch because he was played right center mid field and expected to counter attack from there which is difficult and rare for left footers.
United fans has since the departure of the player become frustrated over the future of the clubs attacking positions which are currently under pressure without Maria. The coach has been questioned of the decision but he doesn't seem to have a reasonable answer to that. Though at united, the Maria's ability were not in question only a minor group of critics will be surprised if the player sprouts up again at his new club.
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