[Pogue Mahone]

But... Fellaini is in great form and has valiantly taken Herrera's spot?! Seriously, though. It's not much of a coincidence that when we start playing basic, more 'physical' in our football that Di Maria struggles.

Heh. It's Fellaini's fault that Di Maria is playing badly. Flawless logic.

 

[DWelbz19]

A pragmatic aimless approach in asking Di Maria to constantly launch balls toward Fellaini and a serverely out-of-form RvP is going to improve his play, is it? I don't care about the misplaced short passes or the failed dribbles; that's what you get with a player like Di Maria, but there's quite clearly a reason his end product has suffered recently and its the tactical set-up. There's nobody for him to play neat one-two's with, he hasn't the space through the middle to run from inside to out. I'm not really trying to palm blame because he clearly does look a tier below his usual self, but the 4141 is not helping, I don't even think it's a case of position, the personnel seems just as important. We zipped the ball a lot quicker with Herrera in the side, and that really helps Di Maria.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

A pragmatic aimless approach in asking Di Maria to constantly launch balls toward Fellaini and a serverely out-of-form RvP is going to improve his play, is it? I don't care about the misplaced short passes or the failed dribbles; that's what you get with a player like Di Maria, but there's quite clearly a reason his end product has suffered recently and its the tactical set-up. There's nobody for him to play neat one-two's with, he hasn't the space through the middle to run from inside to out. I'm not really trying to palm blame because he clearly does look a tier below his usual self, but the 4141 is not helping, I don't even think it's a case of position, the personnel seems just as important. We zipped the ball a lot quicker with Herrera in the side, and that really helps Di Maria.

That didn't happen though, did it. I don't remember Di Maria constantly launching long balls anywhere, never mind in Fellaini's direction. Other than set-pieces anyway. Which seems to be when we're most threatening these days.

I just think Fellaini is getting stick for stuff which is completely beyond his control. Van Gaal himself has admitted to completely changing our approach to tighten things up defensively after conceding too many soft goals. He's even admitted that we've possibly gone to far to the other extreme. This change in approach obviously goes beyond dropping Hererra for Fellaini and will involve all of the players following strict instructions from the manager about exactly how gung ho they're allowed to be when we're in possession. Hence you see Di Maria getting criticised for taking too many people on and not playing the simple pass.

Our slightly toothless football is clearly a result of the team doing what the manager wants and there's no reason to assume we can't be a lot more attacking if Van Gaal lets his team off the leash, whether or not Fellaini's on the pitch.

 

[Cassidy]

That didn't happen though, did it. I don't remember Di Maria constantly launching long balls anywhere, never mind in Fellaini's direction. Other than set-pieces anyway. Which seems to be when we're most threatening these days.

I just think Fellaini is getting stick for stuff which is completely beyond his control. Van Gaal himself has admitted to completely changing our approach to tighten things up defensively after conceding too many soft goals. He's even admitted that we've possibly gone to far to the other extreme. This change in approach obviously goes beyond dropping Hererra for Fellaini and will involve all of the players following strict instructions from the manager about exactly how gung ho they're allowed to be when we're in possession. Hence you see Di Maria getting criticised for taking too many people on and not playing the simple pass.

Our slightly toothless football is clearly a result of the team doing what the manager wants and there's no reason to assume we can't be a lot more attacking if Van Gaal lets his team off the leash, whether or not Fellaini's on the pitch.

I don't think he was launching balls at Fellaini, but he was definately launching early crosses into the box (like he had been told to) and no one was really making runs in the box to get on the end of the crosses, this stuck out to me quick clearly

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I don't think he was launching balls at Fellaini, but he was definately launching early crosses into the box (like he had been told to) and no one was really making runs in the box to get on the end of the crosses, this stuck out to me quick clearly

He's been doing that from day one, though. The quality of cross he's putting in does seem to have declined a little bit, mind you.

 

[POF]

He's been doing that from day one, though. The quality of cross he's putting in does seem to have declined a little bit, mind you.

I'm not sure if the quality of crosses has decreased but the effectiveness has, largely because he only has one striker in the box to aim for who isn't particularly good in the air and doesn't have the movement of Falcao or Hernandez.

I didn't see much of Di Maria last season and before he joined United had largely only seen him play as a winger. I was amazed how good he looked in the more central role on the left of the diamond. It would be a shame if the intention is not to play him there long term.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I'm not sure if the quality of crosses has decreased but the effectiveness has, largely because he only has one striker in the box to aim for who isn't particularly good in the air and doesn't have the movement of Falcao or Hernandez.

I didn't see much of Di Maria last season and before he joined United had largely only seen him play as a winger. I was amazed how good he looked in the more central role on the left of the diamond. It would be a shame if the intention is not to play him there long term.

Definitely a big factor, agreed.

 

[Sarni]

Crossing into the box should never be the tactics when we're using van Persie up front, we should keep the ball on the ground which seems to be impossible right now (has been for a few years).

 

[Flying_Heckfish]

Really needs to play centrally more. Was so good there for RM. I understand he can be used on the wing but it limits his effectiveness for us, because we lack the drive in midfield.

Hope he plays there against Arsenal

 

[Pogue Mahone]

So. Did anyone watch the Argenitina game? Apparently was left of a front three for them.

 

[mazhar13]

Di Maria's always been at his best when he's had the license to cut in and get involved in the middle. He's a good crosser of the ball, but his crosses are quite erratic and wild. He's always been at his best when he's not expected to cross the ball regularly. However, given how little support he gets at the wide areas, he really can't cut in as we'd then be congested through the middle. It's no wonder we've seen him stay out wide so much except against Crystal Palace when Shaw did a very good job providing the width, allowing di Maria to cut in (too bad he only had van Persie as an option).

In Benfica, he was at his best on the right where he could not only stretch the play and put some nice crosses in but also cut into his dangerous left foot. In Real Madrid, he was often at his best when he was allowed to cut into the middle (from the right or left) and not just regularly deliver crosses from the wide areas. It's why he was amazing in the pseudo-central midfield role he played last season as he could start from the middle and play through there or (as he did more often) go out wide and stretch the opposition, giving him the space to run past players and wreak havoc.

Right now, di Maria's been too isolated in the past matches (other than Crystal Palace). Keeping him stuck out wide and expecting him to dribble past 2-3 players with little space ahead of him is never going to work, nor is trying to cross the ball frequently from the left going to work.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

Give Di Maria a free role or Centre the attack around him. He's too good to play second fiddle to anyone.

I'd like to see Di Maria , Rooney and Nani or someone similar as a devastating front 3 like our cl winning side with Rooney Ronaldo and Tevez. Skill, hard working and devastating on the counter.

I'm not a fan of this 2 striker system. I think it can only work with a Chicharito type fast poacher specialist. LVG has his work cut out for him.

 

[Ekeke]

Everyone goes straight to the stats of "Oh Di Maria has the worst pass completion of anyone hurrrr."

It's because he's the only one in the team that will try risky passes anymore.

Partly true

He also has a tendancy to mess up some of the simpler passes

 

[Ekeke]

I don't think he was launching balls at Fellaini, but he was definately launching early crosses into the box (like he had been told to) and no one was really making runs in the box to get on the end of the crosses, this stuck out to me quick clearly

He did this in the Champions League final too

Which leads me to believe its Di Maria's own initiative to put the ball in towards the forwards with crosses early and often

He tried 23 crosses vs Atletico in the final. Yes 23! with 6 finding a teammate.

A lot of them seemed like wishful thinking, but he walked away with the man of the match and Real Madrid as the champs

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

So. Did anyone watch the Argenitina game? Apparently was left of a front three for them.

He destroyed Germany a couple months ago playing on the wing, assisting three and scoring one, IIRC, so there's no excuses for his below par performances in the wide areas for us.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

so there's no excuses for his below par performances in the wide areas for us.

Apart from him being a human and not a robot.

Players are allowed to have bad patches of form from time to time.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Apart from him being a human and not a robot.

Players are allowed to have bad patches of form from time to time.

Ye, I completely agree. I just don't buy the 'he's not playing good because he's playing on the wing' excuse, because the guy grew up playing as a winger.

 

[Pexbo]

Ye, I completely agree. I just don't buy the 'he's not playing good because he's playing on the wing' excuse, because the guy grew up playing as a winger.

What's that got to do with anything?

Schweinsteiger started out as a fullback before making a name for himself as a winger. It was relatively late that he was moved central and made a name for himself as a world class midfielder.

Would you expect him to perform the same as he does in CM now if you moved him out wide?

Di Maria is a top class central midfielder and an inconsistent winger. The two positions offer him such different options throught the game that you can't expect him to be switched and excel in both.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

What's that got to do with anything?

Schweinsteiger started out as a fullback before making a name for himself as a winger. It was relatively late that he was moved central and made a name for himself as a world class midfielder.

Would you expect him to perform the same as he does in CM now if you moved him out wide?

Di Maria is a top class central midfielder and an inconsistent winger. The two positions offer him such different options throught the game that you can't expect him to be switched and excel in both.

What a terrible comparison. Schweinsteiger has been a centre midfielder for very long now, and as far as I'm concerned, hasn't played on the wing for ages, which would explain a dip in performance, had he got played there. Di Maria, on the other hand, although clearly better in centre midfield, still plays his fair share of games on the wing for, both country, and Madrid last season.

You also can't forget Di Maria got a transfer to Madrid as a winger, so he couldn't have been bad there.

 

[Pexbo]

What a terrible comparison. Schweinsteiger has been a centre midfielder for very long now, and as far as I'm concerned, hasn't played on the wing for ages, which would explain a dip in performance, had he got played there. Di Maria, on the other hand, although clearly better in centre midfield, still plays his fair share of games on the wing for, both country, and Madrid last season.

You also can't forget Di Maria got a transfer to Madrid as a winger, so he couldn't have been bad there.

It's got absolutely nothing to do with how long it's been since they played there. It's all to do with the respective roles and how well they suit them.

In a wing position, Di Maria is generally isolated and expected to beat a man and cross. His starting position is from wide where he has 50% less of the field available to him to use in one way or another. It's less space to run into and less options to pass to or dummy a pass to. If he wants to get the ball to a forward, the only route he has is a cross or a diagonal pass. The only real link up is simple one twos with his fullback or closest midfielder.

Contrast that to a central position we he had a spectrum of passes available to him, to the wide areas, to his fellow CM's or to his forwards. If he dribbles from central he can exploit whatever space is available ahead and around him, it doesn't restrict his vision on the same way the wing does.

It doesn't matter how recently he played wing, it's still a completely different position to CM and as a result suits him much more so it's no surprise that he excels centrally and is inconsistent out wide.

 

[Sam]

Its pretty obvious that his best position is in the middle the evidence is right there in front of your eyes. Anyone arguing otherwise is just intentionally trying to play devils advocate, or doesn't know much about the lad. Also, the people saying 'oh there's hardly any difference in position' are also being pretty stupid. There is a a massive difference between playing out on the left wing, and as part of a midfield three. Especially the for the way Di Maria plays it, and for a player that is so one footed (although not in a bad way like Valencia).

Just look at the facts. Di Maria, up until last season was highly talented, but largely inconsistent winger for Madrid. He wasn't ever considered world class, or one of the best wingers in the game (albeit a very good one still). The he moves inside, has his most successful season ever, is regarded as one of the most important players in Madrid's CL win, and starts climbing into that 'world class' category. Then he moves to United, starts the season in the middle, carrying with him his Madrid form and instantly looking like our best players. After a few games he is moved back out wide, and surprise surprise, looks less effective and far more inconsistent.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice the trend. Some players just excel in some possessions, and not in others. He's still a good winger, but he's a far far better midfielder.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

It's got absolutely nothing to do with how long it's been since they played there. It's all to do with the respective roles and how well they suit them.

In a wing position, Di Maria is generally isolated and expected to beat a man and cross. His starting position is from wide where he has 50% less of the field available to him to use in one way or another. It's less space to run into and less options to pass to or dummy a pass to. If he wants to get the ball to a forward, the only route he has is a cross or a diagonal pass. The only real link up is simple one twos with his fullback or closest midfielder.

Contrast that to a central position we he had a spectrum of passes available to him, to the wide areas, to his fellow CM's or to his forwards. If he dribbles from central he can exploit whatever space is available ahead and around him, it doesn't restrict his vision on the same way the wing does.

It doesn't matter how recently he played wing, it's still a completely different position to CM and as a result suits him much more so it's no surprise that he excels centrally and is inconsistent out wide.

You're completely missing my point, though, and telling me about the difference from wing to centre midfield. I already know that. What i'm saying is, Di Maria has, and still does, produce great performances on the wing for his country (Germany vs Argentina) and did for Madrid last season, so when he doesn't for us, rather than saying it's because he's better in centre midfield, just say it's because he had a bad game.

 

[Sam]

You're completely missing my point, though, and telling me about the difference from wing to centre midfield. I already know that. What i'm saying is, Di Maria has, and still does, produce great performances on the wing for his country (Germany vs Argentina) and did for Madrid last season, so when he doesn't for us, rather than saying it's because he's better in centre midfield, just say it's because he had a bad game.

Of course he can still produce great performances on the wing, but history would suggest they'll be far less frequent them when he plays in the centre (He's also more likely to go missing in the big games).

 

[Pexbo]

You're completely missing my point, though, and telling me about the difference from wing to centre midfield. I already know that. What i'm saying is, Di Maria has, and still does, produce great performances on the wing for his country (Germany vs Argentina) and did for Madrid last season, so when he doesn't for us, rather than saying it's because he's better in centre midfield, just say it's because he had a bad game.

...and he's going to have more bad performances on the wing than he will in midfield... because he's a better midfielder than he is a winger. It's really, really simple.

 

[SteveJ]

Every time a player's thread is bumped, I expect to read that he's got injured.

 

[DWelbz19]

He was on the right in the recent tie against Germany, too. Has he played there for us yet?

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

...and he's going to have more bad performances on the wing than he will in midfield... because he's a better midfielder than he is a winger. It's really, really simple.

It shouldn't be. From when he can produce very good performances on the wing, there shouldn't be any reasons why he can't keep producing that, otherwise he'll just be another Nani, because I doubt Van Gaal will put him back in midfield (as much as I want it) because he identified him as a top winger, saying 'we don't have wingers of the highest level, like Ronaldo or Di Maria or somebody like that'.

Hopefully, Van Gaal himself will notice this, and instead of getting another centre midfielder in January/Summer, he'll get another winger and put Di Maria back in the middle.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

He was on the right in the recent tie against Germany, too. Has he played there for us yet?

Went there a for a bit against Chelsea and City, IIRC. I'd like to see him play a full game there, though. If we need someone to cut in from the left flank, we should try Mata there - similar to how City use Silva.

 

[Sam]

It shouldn't be. From when he can produce very good performances on the wing, there shouldn't be any reasons why he can't keep producing that, otherwise he'll just be another Nani, because I doubt Van Gaal will put him back in midfield (as much as I want it) because he identified him as a top winger, saying 'we don't have wingers of the highest level, like Ronaldo or Di Maria or somebody like that'.

Hopefully, Van Gaal himself will notice this, and instead of getting another centre midfielder in January/Summer, he'll get another winger and put Di Maria back in the middle.

This is what Van Gaal said when we signed him..

Louis van Gaal said: "Angel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player.''

I also seem to remember some quotes about him being a central midfielder who could also play on the wing.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

This is what Van Gaal said when we signed him..

Louis van Gaal said: "Angel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player.''

I also seem to remember some quotes about him being a central midfielder who could also play on the wing.

Lets hope he put him back there then.

 

[Sam]

Lets hope he put him back there then.

I really hope he does. We need to build a team around him imo.

 

[saivet]

I'm sure many will not like this:

Angel Di Maria has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain's spending restrictions prevented him moving to France rather than Manchester United last summer.

Di Maria was the subject of significant interest from the Ligue 1 champions before eventually moving to Old Trafford in a British-record £59.7 million deal, and the Argentine has subsequently made an impressive start to his Premier League career.

PSG were fined £50m and issued with a spending restriction last summer for breaching Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations, and Di Maria believes this was the key reason why they had to pull out of the race to sign him.

“PSG, I think they had a money problem and they couldn’t buy players," the Argentine said in an interview with Telefoot. "This is the main reason I didn’t go there. Playing in the French league would please a lot of players.

"Now I’m in the English league. But you never know, there is a lot of movements in football. You can never predict where you’re going to play.

"There were a lot of clubs interested in me. A lot really. But Manchester United appeared and didn’t go away. They absolutely wanted me and it happened.”

Di Maria admits the possibility of moving to the French capital intrigued him, and has not ruled out the prospect of joining PSG in the future.

"It could have been a good experience for me to go to Paris," he added. “I know I’m still young, perhaps I’ll go to PSG one day. I don’t know how it will all end."

Real Madrid's decision to sell Di Maria after an impressive season and decisive display in the Champions League final caused consternation among many, but the Argentine insists he is happy with the way things have worked out.

“It’s a different style of football here at Manchester United," he continued. "I’m very happy. I don’t have regrets about leaving Real Madrid. I think I won everything I wanted with Real: La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa Del Rey."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892...y-money-problems?CMPID=TWUK_141116_DiMariaPSG

 

[daniel9988]

I'm sure many will not like this:

Don't really care as long as he wins games for us.

 

[JPRouve]

I'm sure many will not like this:

Send him back to Madrid! He is still under guarantee ?

 

[Blue always red]

I'm sure many will not like this:

I'm sure he'll love it here when we start winning and actually playing well. His wife says she' happy and what could the French League offer over the Prem?

 

[Walrus]

I would love to see a front four of Rooney, Nani, Januzaj and ADM.

Fast, direct, attacking football with players who can actually take on a defender..... Plus Rooney.

 

[DWelbz19]

Plus Rooney.

Jesting, yes? Rooney has always been a key part of our fast, direct attacking football for many years. If anything, I'd rather see a Nani (seeing as he is our only other winger capable), Di Maria and Rooney front three with Herrera in behind. That would be fast, direct, and attacking.

 

[comlag]

I honestly don't think LVG would have gone for Di Maria had he been given carte blanche and a host of world class midfielders to sign, however he will use him to his strengths as an occasional match winner. Di Maria is likely to win us more points that anyone else this season, but in the long run his is a long way from being a utilitarian player the kind of which Van Gaal covets. He gives the ball away far too easily and is about as useful as an ash tray on a motorcycle when it comes to defending, but his creative output balances out his shortcomings.

He is still adapting to the premier league but if we are to allow for all of his bad traits, he has to be consistent with his assisting and goal scoring. In the first few games no one even cared that he misplaced half of his passes and left his full backs exposed, but now his finishing and through balls/crossing have started to dry up we are now focusing on the bad things.

The problem with Di Maria will always be his inconsistency, a fact Ancelotti has alluded to. I believe if and when we start to recover our place in the league, playing well and dominating games, Di Maria will find his comfort zone again, but he is certainly not a player who will fit well into a struggling shower of shit and drag us through games.

 

[redevil2]

"Could I join PSG in the future? Yes maybe. I am still young. In football, there is a lot of movement and I don't know how things will end up."

Don't really care as long as he wins games for us.

It's a myth as long as players win games for us, nothing else matters. It's also a paradox because at United, we always always had this tradition/quality unlike that of city and Chelsea. Passion for the club and knowing they are playing in one of the best club in the world give them that extra edge to win in close games and to come back in injury times (the "come back king" rings any bell?)

It's almost an insult to have players openly saying things like this and PSG? Christ! I don't recall any United player past and present speaking about their future at United in such contempt! Sir Alex would never ever let that happen. LvG must do something to keep players' confidence in the club. Sigh

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Unimpressed with his recent interview, the arse wanna start performing.