[Red Shorts]

Oh please sell him ! I wish we did the same to Mata and Fellaini after their first seasons, because look at how they turned out now....

 

[Adam-Utd]

What I don't get is why he never attempted to dribble at Baines 1v1? He has great dribbling and is quick, but he never once looked to take him on. So annoying that he just resorted to 60 yard crosses to absolutely nowhere, we are never going to score like that.

 

[Isotope]

The one player I wish he had a girlfriend in Spain.

 

[caisenma]

I still expect him to come good. It's odd for a player to start so well at a new club, but to then to drop off as quickly as he has.

Next season...

Agreed... I too think there's every reason he'll come good next year. At the very least he showed his worth when he first arrived here.

 

[stepic]

Needs to start ahead of Young. He needs more minutes.

 

[Varun]

What I don't get is why he never attempted to dribble at Baines 1v1? He has great dribbling and is quick, but he never once looked to take him on. So annoying that he just resorted to 60 yard crosses to absolutely nowhere, we are never going to score like that.

Said it earlier in the thread. His confidence is shot.

 

[kopviolator]

60m pounds benchwarmer…

 

[ArmchairCritic]

The biggest thing for me is that since he's been dropped he's done absolutely feck all in his sub appearances to suggest he's intent on getting his place back. I don't think he has the right mentality for us or for the league, he's so weary of 50/50 challenges and just doesn't seem particularly arsed. He seems to be just biding his time at this point, I'm not sure he will be here for too long.

 

[HabeasC]

We need to play him into form. Even out of form he creates a lot more chances than in form Young. He's not as good defensively, but then when Carrick and Jones/Rojo are back we should be better in the middle.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Awful again when he come on, unfortunately.

Is it just me or does it seem like ADM attempts at least one 40 yard shot per match? What is he hoping to accomplish?

Fifa accomplishments.

 

[Gannicus]

Coming off the bench for 20 minutes isn't the way to get the best out of Di Maria.

 

[ArmchairCritic]

Coming off the bench for 20 minutes isn't the way to get the best out of Di Maria.

If he's unwilling to take on men who have been playing for 70 mins then what evidence is there to suggest starting him will make anything better?

 

[Stookie]

He doesnt suit our style. Sell him as long as we get moeny for him. If he cant take risks and dribbler, whats the point in having him to cross it all the time and shoot from 30 yards.

Not just our style, but doesn't suit the Premiership. He doesn't have the same amount of time on the ball as in other leagues. Same with Falcao.

 

[finneh]

He's just rock bottom on confidence and trying to do stupid shit when he comes off the bench to win back a starting place.

He needs to start a few in a row.

 

[manichester]

He had an exceptional season last year and is back to what he was previously "average".

 

[Roman Bellic]

He's just rock bottom on confidence and trying to do stupid shit when he comes off the bench to win back a starting place.

He needs to start a few in a row.

An argument has been made that if he cant beat players who have been on the pitch for 70 mins, how on earth is he going to do it starting?

 

[Roman Bellic]

He had an exceptional season last year and is back to what he was previously "average".

Too bad it cost us 60m

 

[saivet]

He had an exceptional season last year and is back to what he was previously "average".

I was worried this might happen. I never rated the guy too highly, and I remember talking to my brother who was laughing at me for not rating Di Maria after last season. I admitted that I might have been wrong and the way he started, I thought that I just read him all wrong.

Still got moments of quality in him. Hopefully he can show his class next season.

 

[Jev]

We need to play him into form. Even out of form he creates a lot more chances than in form Young.

Disagree completely. Young has been very productive lately, let's not forget the City game, and he's much better at using his left-back than ADM who wants to do it all alone.

 

[ravi2]

The biggest thing for me is that since he's been dropped he's done absolutely feck all in his sub appearances to suggest he's intent on getting his place back. I don't think he has the right mentality for us or for the league, he's so weary of 50/50 challenges and just doesn't seem particularly arsed. He seems to be just biding his time at this point, I'm not sure he will be here for too long.

I feel the same way, his performances indicate he is not too bothered and biding his time.
If he really wants psg then we should we looking at moura, Veratti or silva.

 

[ArmchairCritic]

One thing that struck me about Di Maria during his awful game vs Switzerland in the World Cup was his appetite for the ball and to take chances and try to create, but now he's playing just as wastefully but with no intent or energy. His body language is just off for me and I'm not sure a goal will fix it, I don't think he's comfortable here at all and that will be the biggest hurdle to extracting 100% out of him.

 

[Orton]

Not starting games and getting cameos will not bring out the best in him. Quite clear to see. Young has had one good game in 4, yet still starts and our team just lacks creativity. Too happy to pass the ball around for the sake of passing, with no penetration. Di Maria needs to start games and stick to one position. If not, what's the point? Nani divided the fans, now it's the same with ADM.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

One thing that struck me about Di Maria during his awful game vs Switzerland in the World Cup was his appetite for the ball and to take chances and try to create, but now he's playing just as wastefully but with no intent or energy. His body language is just off for me and I'm not sure a goal will fix it, I don't think he's comfortable here at all and that will be the biggest hurdle to extracting 100% out of him.

Because he's playing in a completely different team and system.

Sometimes you can't win with some on this place, if he takes a player on, he gets lambasted for losing the ball; if he doesn't and resorts to playing safe or going for a cross, he's gets lambasted.

It's clearly obvious that van Gaal has instructed him to not take opposition players on, as much, and look for the simple pass sideways.

Moreover, he came on when we were 2-0 down and playing like sh*t, what could he possible do on his own, when the entire team seem to have given up? He's not going to perform miracles. We should be questioning the starters and their lack of effort as opposed to di Maria who's played 90 minutes across the last 5 or 6 games.

 

[legball]

He's a winger, he should take players on and lose the ball, but when he loses the ball he has to show an appetite to chase it and win it back, or try at least. No one is going to clap for you for trying to dribble, then lose the ball and stand there. It's in games like this that you expect a player of his caliber to come on and give it a real go, but we did not see that with him. A waste right now.

 

[Sylar]

Every match when he comes on he insists on on having a long range shot which either drags wide or lacks power. I actually cant remember him having a strong awesome shot / goal that makes me think its worth spoiling an attack for him to do so.

I dont mind if he takes on people in the opposition half and loses it, but so often when he does, he goes down clutching his leg hoping for a freekick rather than chasing back to win it back (when its clearly not a foul and clearly he hasnt been hurt). Its frustrating see that happen.

He hasnt shown he deserves to start.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

He's a winger, he should take players on and lose the ball, but when he loses the ball he has to show an appetite to chase it and win it back, or try at least. No one is going to clap for you for trying to dribble, then lose the ball and stand there. It's in games like this that you expect a player of his caliber to come on and give it a real go, but we did not see that with him. A waste right now.

I actually zoned out of the game after Everton's third, but this seems like rehashed nonsense.

We seemed to be disinterested after he came on. I felt as if he tried and then the entire team gave up. I do remember him chasing down a ball 60 yards away, from a pass from Herrera (I think), and closing down Howard, is that not the effort you speak of? In games where we've been holding a large proportion of the possession, what chasing back do you expect?

 

[ArmchairCritic]

Because he's playing in a completely different team and system.

Sometimes you can't win with some on this place, if he takes a player on, he gets lambasted for losing the ball; if he doesn't and resorts to playing safe or going for a cross, he's gets lambasted.

It's clearly obvious that van Gaal has instructed him to not take opposition players on, as much, and look for the simple pass sideways.

Moreover, he came on when we were 2-0 down and playing like sh*t, what could he possible do on his own, when the entire team seem to have given up? He's not going to perform miracles. We should be questioning the starters and their lack of effort as opposed to di Maria who's played 90 minutes across the last 5 or 6 games.

He cost £60m, to play like Giggs did towards the tail end of his career is not good enough. He deserves the criticism, he got stupidly sent off vs Arsenal and is showing a distinct lack of fight to get his place back in the first team.

 

[paulscholes18]

Hopefully he gets a run of starting games ahead of Ashley Young

 

[finneh]

An argument has been made that if he cant beat players who have been on the pitch for 70 mins, how on earth is he going to do it starting?

I don't think it's about beating player's. I think it's about not playing his natural game because he thinks if he doesn't score a 40 yard screamer or beat 3 player's he'll be back on the bench next week. Some player's need a run of games to regain their confidence and form. If you spend £60m on someone you have to play them into form, Wenger for instance did it with Ozil and he's currently one of the most in form player's in the League.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

He cost £60m, to play like Giggs did towards the tail end of his career is not good enough. He deserves the criticism, he got stupidly sent off vs Arsenal and is showing a distinct lack of fight to get his place back in the first team.

He played 20 minutes against Liverpool - bagged an important assist which now looks to be incredibly important, gave the ball away and much more.
He played 25 minutes against Villa - bagged another assist which also seems to be very important, right now.
He played 15 minutes against City - did nothing as we were down to 10 men
He played 25-30 minutes against Chelsea - not much to say, we were pretty bland all game.
He played 25 minutes today - He played a ball through Everton's defense, something we couldn't achieve, all game, and had a 40 yard shot, in our worst performance of the season.

What do you expect from these small cameos every game? In Hindsight, his two assists look to be very important, given where we our, right now.

 

[Roman Bellic]

I don't think it's about beating player's. I think it's about not playing his natural game because he thinks if he doesn't score a 40 yard screamer or beat 3 player's he'll be back on the bench next week. Some player's need a run of games to regain their confidence and form. If you spend £60m on someone you have to play them into form, Wenger for instance did it with Ozil and he's currently one of the most in form player's in the League.

We had a system that seemed to be working, so accommodating Di Maria wasn't a priority.

 

[Ish]

I was worried this might happen. I never rated the guy too highly, and I remember talking to my brother who was laughing at me for not rating Di Maria after last season. I admitted that I might have been wrong and the way he started, I thought that I just read him all wrong.

Still got moments of quality in him. Hopefully he can show his class next season.

Aye, it's currently very difficult for most of our attacking players to shine, and just when it seemed like we struck a winning formula, injuries have disrupted our momentum again.

It also helps if you played for a strong Madrid side, with a world class midfield behind you. But yeah, it's almost laughable signing a player for 60m, and either: not building the team around his strengths or playing him in his most effective position (in a diamond), like last season.

But yeah, let's hope he comes good next season. His start certainly showed promise.

 

[togg]

I think he's found out how dam hard it is in the Premier League, how aggressive it is and how fast paced it is. Some ex player, can't remember who, whose played here and abroad, said there is nothing like the Premiership, you just don't get the time or space on the ball as you do in Europe. Some creative players adapt and discover how to play in this league..others don't. I reckon he needs a full pre-season training and another go. However, if he doesn't 'get it' by the end of next season...bye bye Di Maria

 

[ArmchairCritic]

He played 20 minutes against Liverpool - bagged an important assist which now looks to be incredibly important, gave the ball away and much more.
He played 25 minutes against Villa - bagged another assist which also seems to be very important, right now.
He played 15 minutes against City - did nothing as we were down to 10 men
He played 25-30 minutes against Chelsea - not much to say, we were pretty bland all game.
He played 25 minutes today - He played a ball through Everton's defense, something we couldn't achieve, all game, and had a 40 yard shot, in our worst performance of the season.

What do you expect from these small cameos every game? In Hindsight, his two assists look to be very important, given where we our, right now.

Let's be honest here, the finishes flattered those two assists (nice backspin to the Mata ball though). He also flubbed an easy chance to dead the Liverpool game and generally was useless. He's making an absolute shit-ton of stupid decisions recently, he made one cracking pass today to Falcao in between loads of aimless crosses. It's clear his confidence is down but he has shown nothing in 5-6 cameos now, he's far too inconsistent and looking seriously overpriced. His finishing and ability to create chances on a consistent basis is not of the level of his price tag, nor is his tendency to pull out of 50/50 challenges. He loves taking on these 40 yards shots but I don't think he's nailed one once. I agree with his confidence clearly affecting his play at the moment but I don't think we can afford to let him play through it right now.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

We had a system that seemed to be working, so accommodating Di Maria wasn't a priority.

Our system seems to have been found out, park the bus and we'll lose.

 

[legball]

I actually zoned out of the game after Everton's third, but this seems like rehashed nonsense.

We seemed to be disinterested after he came on. I felt as if he tried and then the entire team gave up. I do remember him chasing down a ball 60 yards away, from a pass from Herrera (I think), and closing down Howard, is that not the effort you speak of? In games where we've been holding a large proportion of the possession, what chasing back do you expect?

You can continue to molly cuddle him, that's exactly what he needs. He's a world class player, and in days like this, his quality is supposed to drive the team. he's supposed to be taking on his man, but what does he do, just gets the ball, stands there and put in aimless cross after cross. That's not the standard I expect from a world class winger, thanks.

 

[Roman Bellic]

Our system seems to have been found out, park the bus and we'll lose.

Perhaps, it didnt seem logical at the time to start Di Maria.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Let's be honest here, the finishes flattered those two assists (nice backspin to the Mata ball though). He also flubbed an easy chance to dead the Liverpool game and generally was useless. He's making an absolute shit-ton of stupid decisions recently, he made one cracking pass to Falcao in between loads of aimless crosses. It's clear his confidence is down but he has shown nothing in 5-6 cameos now, he's far too inconsistent and looking seriously overpriced. His finishing and ability to create chances on a consistent basis is not of the level of his price tag, nor is his tendency to pull out of 50/50 challenges. He loves taking on these 40 yards shots but I don't think he's nailed one once. I agree with his confidence clearly affecting his play at the moment but I don't think we can afford to let him play through it right now.

For 60 odd minutes, we created feck all, I can't even remember a single clear cut opportunity, so I'd rather see someone attempt to create something rather than passing sideways, as we did all game. He also put in a couple of dangerous crosses to the back post.

As with the 40 yard shots, some of these led to assists earlier on in the season, so it's worth the punt.

I'm not sure how you can judge di Maria based on these cameos, as, in his last start, he was one of the best players on the pitch till his sending off. Today, he came on when were 2-0 down and was instructed to create, he tried and failed. With regards to his stupid decisions, well that's just a ridiculous statement, as it seems like the entire team made some very stupid decisions, given we lost 3-0.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Perhaps, it didnt seem logical at the time to start Di Maria.

I can't fully agree, but whats happened has happened. I haven't been entirely impressed with Young, apart from the City game, and would much rather have di Maria starting from now.

 

[Roman Bellic]

I can't fully agree, but whats happened has happened. I haven't been entirely impressed with Young, apart from the City game, and would much rather have di Maria starting from now.

It depends on which Di Maria we are getting, the one against QPR earlier in the season or the one that gives the ball away 95% of the time then produces only one moment of magic, i really want him to play... but, we cant afford to sacrifice our next 4 matches to help Di Maria find his golden boots again, he might average an assist a game - but what good would that do in a game where we concede 3 goals?

He should start against West Brom though.