[bosnian_red]

Don't think he was shite at all. Made plenty of chances and on another day could've probably had 3 assists. He's obviously a bit low on confidence so is still far away from his best, but I thought he was good today for the most part. Had good stats as well. 4 key passes, 80% pass accuracy, 5 shots, 76 touches, 4 dribbles, dispossessed just the one time, etc..
Played that lovely through ball into Van Persie as well.

Actually this is the typical good performance that people completely ignore if the result ends badly (a draw in this case) for a player who has been heavily criticized recently and he doesn't get a goal or an assist. Was a perfectly fine performance for any standard of player.

 

[bosnian_red]

Was proper shite tonight, no excuse for it at all.

He wasn't shite at all, but you know, whatever you want to think.

 

[Santos J]

He wasn't shite at all, but you know, whatever you want to think.

He was shite, but you know, whatever you want to think.

 

[mu77]

terrible. looked like he couldn't give a f**k.

 

[pocco]

I can't be bothered to check the stats, results etc to back up this claim, but I thought we looked better and more balanced as a team without him.

 

[Blue always red]

Terrible but created our best chance of the game when he chipped it to RVP and then the shot that got saved.

 

[Bojan11]

I am getting the same vibe as Ozil last season from watching him. Ozil had a great start and did nothing after that. And sadly Di Maria is doing the same.

 

[m1y2]

his performance today was one of those shit Nani's performances. 60m really? or maybe play him as b2b where he can work hard at least. He should also try to find an easier pass sometimes, or choose not to shot when being in a completely terrible position to do so. Of course we need some player who will make wonders but lately he is very selfish and very ineffective.

 

[luckyspurs]

Taking 3 shots a game (9th most in the Premier League) to Bale's 3 and a half. Bale's got 9 goals in half a season; Di Maria 3.

What was that about being wasteful.

 

[DWelbz19]

I am getting the same vibe as Ozil last season from watching him. Ozil had a great start and did nothing after that. And sadly Di Maria is doing the same.

It is a bit worrying, I agree. But, Ozil has always been a very lethargic and fairly mentally weak player. Di Maria worked his socks off at Madrid, Benfica, etc... Hopefully this is just a slump. I'm still convinced once we get him in a three man midfield, with the freedom to run forward and not pass sideways all game, he'll be fantastic.

 

[Cassidy]

Taking 3 shots a game (9th most in the Premier League) to Bale's 3 and a half. Bale's got 9 goals in half a season; Di Maria 3.

What was that about being wasteful.

Thats brilliant, but he creates 2.99 chances per 90 mins, thats more than anyone at Spurs btw. Only one creating more chances in the league is Fabregas.

 

[bosnian_red]

Everyone who is saying he was shite, give me examples of this. His stats were perfectly fine, he created a few very good chances, ran at defenders from deep, had a couple of loose touches but that happened to everyone with the pitch being as it was. He worked hard, caused problems all night as you'd expect and if the forwards' finishing wasn't off, he would've had a couple of assists at least.

Like I said, today was a standard case of a player putting in a good performance, not amazing, just a good, normal 7/10 performance, but since he's had his critics recently, is a record signing, and the result was a bit embarrassing, everybody overreacts and says he was shite. Which he wasn't, in any way.

 

[luckyspurs]

Everyone who is saying he was shite, give me examples of this. His stats were perfectly fine, he created a few very good chances, ran at defenders from deep, had a couple of loose touches but that happened to everyone with the pitch being as it was. He worked hard, caused problems all night as you'd expect and if the forwards' finishing wasn't off, he would've had a couple of assists at least.

Taking a few touches to get the ball under control a couple of times and overrunning it on the counter attack. Just didn't look sharp enough. Lot of sideways passing on the edge of the box.

Still created chances and struck that effort well late on, but visually he didn't look that level above you want to see. It was like watching Henderson create assists rather than a Fabregas or Modric today. I know there's no real difference but it didn't look slick or precise for the most part.

 

[bosnian_red]

Taking a few touches to get the ball under control a couple of times and overrunning it on the counter attack. Just didn't look sharp enough. Lot of sideways passing on the edge of the box.

Yeah, that happened a few times. He also did a lot of good things though. Like I said, he had a decent game. Not amazing, not shite by any stretch. Had a few poor touches, but also made like 4 really good chances and had a couple of good shots and generally looked a threat with his running from deep.

Agree that he's still far away from his best, but people are overreacting just saying he was shite, when he really wasn't. Clearly low on confidence as is everyone else and that affects even the best players. Today was more on the right track compared to the last few where he played up top.

 

[luckyspurs]

Yeah, that happened a few times. He also did a lot of good things though. Like I said, he had a decent game. Not amazing, not shite by any stretch. Had a few poor touches, but also made like 4 really good chances and had a couple of good shots and generally looked a threat with his running from deep.

Agree that he's still far away from his best, but people are overreacting just saying he was shite, when he really wasn't. Clearly low on confidence as is everyone else and that affects even the best players. Today was more on the right track compared to the last few where he played up top.

Think I gave him a 6. Only Rojo I think got higher off me.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Taking a few touches to get the ball under control a couple of times and overrunning it on the counter attack. Just didn't look sharp enough. Lot of sideways passing on the edge of the box.

Still created chances and struck that effort well late on, but visually he didn't look that level above you want to see. It was like watching Henderson create assists rather than a Fabregas or Modric today. I know there's no real difference but it didn't look slick or precise for the most part.

Everyone was struggling to get it under. A half-frozen chopped up pitch didn't help. Like playing on cobble stones. Di Maria was one of our better players tonight but it wasn't a game where flair players could express themselves. Suited the likes of Rojo much better.

 

[pascell]

He's trying too much to get a goal which he desperately needs. Once he gets it he'll be off and running again i'm sure.

 

[Sam]

He's trying too much to get a goal which he desperately needs. Once he gets it he'll be off and running again i'm sure.

Thats the one thing I'm not really getting (and thats annoying me). He's never had a particularity good scoring record, nor do I ever remember him shooting as much from distance for Madrid or Argentina as he is atm for us. His game has always been about providing assists for others, and I don't know why he's trying to change it. He just needs to do what he was doing at the start of the season, and if nicks a few goals along the way, then great.

 

[Cassidy]

Thats the one thing I'm not really getting (and thats annoying me). He's never had a particularity good scoring record, nor do I ever remember him shooting as much from distance for Madrid or Argentina as he is atm for us. His game has always been about providing assists for others, and I don't know why he's trying to change it. He just needs to do what he was doing at the start of the season, and if nicks a few goals along the way, then great.

What do you do when no one is making the runs for you? As soon an RVP came on he played that lovely ball over the top for him.

 

[sunama]

I think the issue is his price-tag.
For a Galactico type price-tag, we expect him to perform like a Galactico, ie. be the best player on the pitch almost every game, which he isn't.
Had he been got for £30M, we'd probably be satisfied with his performance.

I cant believe that Chelsea got Fabregas for half the price of Di Maria.

 

[Ringo 07]

I'm not sure he is settled living in England yet and it will all take time...He definitely does not look like an Elite player on current form but he has shown glimpses of being something special. We need another top central midfielder to take the pressure off the likes of Di Maria and who will give them better service. Fellaini will only ever keep things simple. A proper creative central midfielder alongside Carrick would help a lot. Anyways I hope to God that he comes good because I don't think the club can afford any more expensive mistakes......but Di Maria on his day is outstanding so you'd think Van Gaal can get him performing somehow

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

I don't think he's settled yet.

I'm sorry for saying this and I hope I'm wrong, but I'd say he'll be gone within 2 years. Doesn't seem able to express himself properly at United, similar to Kagawa.

It's only been half a season of course, but meh.

 

[Loublaze]

I don't care if players try things but I remember ADM came on as sub after the injury, dont remember against who it was and he basically wanted to shoot from illogical positions straight away, since that he is the same, selfish and very inaccurate.. Sometimes you need to play two or three simple passes just to get in the game and slowly gain confidence whereas this boy wants to be in the game too soon and I somehow understand him but he is no better than Nani at his worst games by doing so...

How long before people start slagging him off for this wastefulness like Nani?

 

[bosnian_red]

Thats the one thing I'm not really getting (and thats annoying me). He's never had a particularity good scoring record, nor do I ever remember him shooting as much from distance for Madrid or Argentina as he is atm for us. His game has always been about providing assists for others, and I don't know why he's trying to change it. He just needs to do what he was doing at the start of the season, and if nicks a few goals along the way, then great.

Think van Gaal is trying to get him into a goalscorer. He's having a lot more shots from range then usual, he's been playing up front and that's just not the way to use him IMO. He needs to play deep and run at defenders with the ball. Not with his back to goal, hold up the ball and run backwards. Completely opposite to what he's used to.

Saying that, vs Cambridge he was one of the few who looked threatening throughout and made a few great chances, even if the decision making was a bit off at times.

 

[kouroux]

Thats the one thing I'm not really getting (and thats annoying me). He's never had a particularity good scoring record, nor do I ever remember him shooting as much from distance for Madrid or Argentina as he is atm for us. His game has always been about providing assists for others, and I don't know why he's trying to change it. He just needs to do what he was doing at the start of the season, and if nicks a few goals along the way, then great.

He is forcing his game, trying to do something he's never been comfortable doing. He can score goals but maybe when he's more relaxed and doesn't put intense pressure on him, he's trying to carry us as he probably sees the teams desperately needs some inspiration.

 

[Loublaze]

terrible. looked like he couldn't give a f**k.

Proper mercenary huh

 

[Cheesy]

I don't think he's settled yet.

I'm sorry for saying this and I hope I'm wrong, but I'd say he'll be gone within 2 years. Doesn't seem able to express himself properly at United, similar to Kagawa.

It's only been half a season of course, but meh.

To be fair, he's a much better player overall than Kagawa. Whereas Kagawa arguably wasn't good enough compared to Rooney and Mata to get time in his preferred position, LVG will hopefully start giving Di Maria time where he thrives best.

 

[Offside]

I don't see why people have a problem with Di Maria? The way I see it:

First few games: Sensational e.g. goals v Leicester, Everton and QPR.
Games after that: Quiet but effective e.g. Assist v West Brom, Involved in the goal v Chelsea, Decent away at Man City
After that: Ages out injured
Comes back: Goal against Yeovil, very effective when played in midfield against QPR

The only game where he was dogshit was Southampton. With his injuries this year and settling into a new league I really don't think there is an issue. The potential is there for me for him to be a top player for us when he settles down. I suppose the price tag is what people will always point to.

There is a much bigger issue with Falcao.

 

[Brwned]

I don't think he's settled yet.

I'm sorry for saying this and I hope I'm wrong, but I'd say he'll be gone within 2 years. Doesn't seem able to express himself properly at United, similar to Kagawa.

It's only been half a season of course, but meh.

What a bizarre comparison. Have people seriously forgotten how good his start at United was? He was expressing himself as freely and as effectively as any player in the league when he played in midfield, which then led to even a Liverpool fan compare him to Ronaldo/Suárez.

I agree with the sentiment that he's our best player now. Such a unique player as well. Amazing work rate, great pace, great vision and passing. Brilliant.

Best player in the league.

This. He looks on another level to anyone else.

Every bit a £60m player. Should be your Ronaldo/Suarez this season.

And no, not wumming. Couldn't find a weakness in any part of his game.

A month ago i said that buying a world class midfielder like vidal is more important than a luxury signing like di maria, boy was i wrong.

I can see now that he isn't a luxury player at all, he's exactly what the team needed more than anything else. I haven't been this excited when a player has the ball since ronaldo.

A bit speechless after that. He seems far better than I recall him at Madrid.

 

[Irrational.]

He plays well when the team plays well, I'm sure he'll come good once we build a bit of momentum. He's not a game-changer for us at the moment though, which is disappointing.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

What a bizarre comparison. Have people seriously forgotten how good his start at United was? He was expressing himself as freely and as effectively as any player in the league when he played in midfield, which then led to even a Liverpool fan compare him to Ronaldo/Suárez.

Honeymoon period? I don't know. It's just a gut feeling that I can't really reason with.

 

[Someone]

We're at a point now where we're questioning all our players in an attempt to make sense of the current situation, instead of admitting the reality that van gaal is doing a poor job handling them so far this season.

Di maria isn't the only player struggling, when so many players are performing way below their standards you should always look at the manager.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

I don't think it is a coincidence he has gone missing a bit since he wasn't played in CM. Doubt it is a good enough excuse for everyone though.

 

[Boycott]

I think he's best when he's not the main player on the team. So he can do what he does best without trying so hard to make an attempt to justify this superstar price tag. I don't think he is a superstar player like Ronaldo, Messi, Bale, Ibrahimovic. These players need their stats to be excellent as much as their performances.

Look how many wild shots Di Maria is taking. The amount of times he tries these silly flicks giving the ball away. It is reminiscent of Nani and as a winger they're equally inconsistent and erratic. As a CM in Real Madrid he had the luxury of having a well oiled team of quality to allow him to play. He wasn't really a midfielder. He was a left winger still but positioned deeper, while Ronaldo moved to the center.

 

[Brwned]

I think he's best when he's not the main player on the team. So he can do what he does best without trying so hard to make an attempt to justify this superstar price tag. I don't think he is a superstar player like Ronaldo, Messi, Bale, Ibrahimovic. These players need their stats to be excellent as much as their performances.

Look how many wild shots Di Maria is taking. The amount of times he tries these silly flicks giving the ball away. It is reminiscent of Nani and as a winger they're equally inconsistent and erratic. As a CM in Real Madrid he had the luxury of having a well oiled team of quality to allow him to play. He wasn't really a midfielder. He was a left winger still but positioned deeper, while Ronaldo moved to the center.

I agree he probably feels more responsibility to be a goalscorer at United - it comes with the territory when you're played up front, in fairness - and that's making him a bit more wasteful than normal, and that can be backed up with the stats. This season he's taking over 3 shots per game which is more frequent than at any time in his Madrid career. Part of that is down to him being the main player I agree, but part of that is down to the role he's being asked to play - it's partly mental but also partly tactical, IMO. The silly flicks and overly casual passing leading to him giving the ball away cheaply is just something that's always been part of his game (in the same way it was part of Giggs' game right 'til the end).

 

[Boycott]

I agree he probably feels more responsibility to be a goalscorer at United - it comes with the territory when you're played up front, in fairness - and that's making him a bit more wasteful than normal, but the silly flicks and overly casual passing leading to him giving the ball away cheaply is just something that's always been part of his game (in the same way it was part of Giggs' game right 'til the end).

Fair point. To an extent it further strengthens my view that Di Maria is not a central midfielder however. In a 3 he can get away with it with others doing his dirty work but until we get the right balance through transfers in and out we won't go to 4-3-3. He's a winger playing in CM. I'm not surprised why Van Gaal is trying to keep him away from there because his game is very oriented to one particular facet: taking players on. I don't think he's a great passer, he's slight and erratic. Last season when he was outstanding he pretty much occupied the left flank but from deeper positions. He had the players as I said to do so and Madrid aren't missing him. The so called engine isn't being seen either as he looks a bit disinterested. What he's good at he is very good and can be relentless but he is not a central midfielder. If we get the players in to go 4-3-3 he'll be on the wing.

 

[Dumbstar]

What a bizarre comparison. Have people seriously forgotten how good his start at United was? He was expressing himself as freely and as effectively as any player in the league when he played in midfield, which then led to even a Liverpool fan compare him to Ronaldo/Suárez.

Just imagine the damage he would be doing to teams under Rodgers. What a waste of world class talent.

 

[bosnian_red]

Honeymoon period? I don't know. It's just a gut feeling that I can't really reason with.

Wouldn't say it was only the honeymoon period. His performances took a pretty sharp downturn the second he was moved from his deeper/left center midfield position. In it, whenever he's played, he was amazing. Outside of it he's been streaky. Had a few good performances on the wing, a few poor ones, and then up front he's just not a striker so that's understandable as to why he was poor there. Playing in the hole like the last game and a bit he was definitely closer to good then bad though, it was decent overall but getting better. As long as we play him deeper, as part of a midfield 3, I reckon he'd be right up there with aguero and Sanchez as the best player in the league, without a doubt. Elsewhere, well why the feck would you buy one of the best players in the world for £60m and then proceed to play him in a position where he didn't get that reputation in? Its a strange obsession with united managers, playing players out of position.

 

[luckyspurs]

Fair point. To an extent it further strengthens my view that Di Maria is not a central midfielder however. In a 3 he can get away with it with others doing his dirty work but until we get the right balance through transfers in and out we won't go to 4-3-3. He's a winger playing in CM. I'm not surprised why Van Gaal is trying to keep him away from there because his game is very oriented to one particular facet: taking players on. I don't think he's a great passer, he's slight and erratic. Last season when he was outstanding he pretty much occupied the left flank but from deeper positions. He had the players as I said to do so and Madrid aren't missing him. The so called engine isn't being seen either as he looks a bit disinterested. What he's good at he is very good and can be relentless but he is not a central midfielder. If we get the players in to go 4-3-3 he'll be on the wing.

Agree with this. Chance taking dribbler but worked his absolute socks off last season (started almost every game after Christmas at such pace it looked almost impossible to keep up more than 70 minutes) and deservedly got his Champions League medal out of it. Both his crossing and passing are on and off but most wingers in world football would swap for it. Just not the very top level ones like Silva, Ozil or whoever.

His workrate was great, but it still needed Modric and Alonso doing incredible attack slowing and stifling whenever Real Madrid lost the ball to make it work. Seriously, watch how many times somebody dribbles past Modric and isn't slowed up or forced back; does not happen often. Amazing for somebody so short and seemingly lacking in the skills to dominate without the ball.

Wouldn't say it was only the honeymoon period. His performances took a pretty sharp downturn the second he was moved from his deeper/left center midfield position. In it, whenever he's played, he was amazing. Outside of it he's been streaky. Had a few good performances on the wing, a few poor ones, and then up front he's just not a striker so that's understandable as to why he was poor there. Playing in the hole like the last game and a bit he was definitely closer to good then bad though, it was decent overall but getting better. As long as we play him deeper, as part of a midfield 3, I reckon he'd be right up there with aguero and Sanchez as the best player in the league, without a doubt. Elsewhere, well why the feck would you buy one of the best players in the world for £60m and then proceed to play him in a position where he didn't get that reputation in? Its a strange obsession with united managers, playing players out of position.

Struggle seeing him outdoing Fabregas in a central midfield role. Apart from the ridiculous amount of assists Fabregas has (Di Maria could get close I suppose), Fabregas does miles more defensive work (like 3 times as much). Mourinho's got Fabregas extremely well drilled this season; whole new level of effectiveness.

Assuming he goes third best player in the league after Aguero and Sanchez is building way too much out of last season and ignoring Costa, Hazard and a couple of others. I'll be even more impressed than I was by him last season.

 

[bosnian_red]

Struggle seeing him outdoing Fabregas in a central midfield role. Apart from the ridiculous amount of assists Fabregas has (Di Maria could get close I suppose), Fabregas does miles more defensive work (like 3 times as much).

Think the assumption he goes third best player in the league after Aguero and Sanchez is building way too much out of last season and ignoring Costa, Hazard and a couple of others.

Forgot about Hazard tbh, I have him as my best player anyways overall, though Sanchez has been the best this season for me. Di Maria in his proper position is up there with them, and I mean, he has shown that form at the start of his career with United when played there and a lot of last season. I don't think it's building too much out of last season, at his best, he is as good as anyone in the world at their best bar Ronaldo and Messi IMO, and that's why he was part of the world 11 and shortlist for the ballon d'or. The problem is when playing outside of his best position, he's as inconsistent as Nani was outside of his 2 year spell that he was world class during. Simple solution would be to just play him back in midfield, but it's not like he's a central midfielder like Fabregas, he's a very unique player and that almost wide, but also central midfield role while given loads of freedom at the same time is probably his best position. He effectively replaces a #10, but goes further back, works a lot harder and has more of an influence on the game from deeper then traditional #10's, and isn't right in the middle. The problem with why United couldn't get a balance was because we still played with 2 strikers and a #10, along with having him back there... Doesn't work.

What he does better then pretty much anyone in the world is link the midfield to the attack through his running from deep on the ball, and his ability to see a through pass which really is terrific, just he hasn't been able to show it enough these last few months because of the roles he's played in. That's why Ancelotti played him sort of in a 3 man midfield, but sort of out wide. Ronaldo would start out wide, with Di Maria inside and start like a 4-3-3, but then he would drift wide with the ball and overlap Ronaldo who would go inside and make like a lopsided 4-4-2. Obviously now we don't have the same players as Real Madrid, but at the same time, we can definitely incorporate Di Maria in a similar system to get the best out of him, since you know, he is our best outfield player (at his best).

Also, nobody is going to catch Fabregas this season, but put Di Maria in midfield all season in a functional side and he'd run away with the assists I think. Even on his bad days he still makes plenty of chances, but our forwards just haven't been putting them away.