Angel Di Maria image 7

Angel Di Maria Argentina flag

2014-15 Performances

View full 2014-15 profile

5.7 Season Average Rating
Appearances
32
Goals
4
Assists
13
Yellow cards
3
Red cards
1
Status
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The only time we should be using him as a centre-forward is if we set up to play a counter-attacking style. He's being utilised poorly by Van Gaal. We're expecting him to hold up the ball and chase after long balls. Even worse is the fact that he's a very direct player and lacks the patience needed in such a role.
 
There is definitely the distraction factor as well. When a team's marking Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema, they can't mark you as closely. Especially when Modric and Alonso are in behind and Marcelo charging forward down the wing you spend most of your time near.
 
Seeing him playing like absolue shite up front is making me want to tear my hair out. In his first few games he looked so far above our other players, while in midfield, we were saying that we felt sorry for him. For christs sake move him back there.
 
I think we might have an inverse Rivaldo situation brewing here. Rivaldo wanted to play forward but was slotted into midfield at times. Angel's most productive position is in a midfield 3 yet somehow we're inexplicably intent on pushing him further up.
 
What else can we expect when he's being used the complete opposite way to what he's suited to? The glimpses of class he shows is when he drifts deeper in a midfield position and runs at defenders.
 
Apart from the fact that he is being played in the wrong position. I'm still waiting to see the played I thought we had signed. Hopefully its just the position he's playing in that is the cause of it. But I'm not so sure.
 
Jones taking corners actually scared me more than anything. Does LVG even see that Di Maria isn't a striker and performs to his best in midfield? I'm genuinely worried.
 
Much better when played deeper. Everyone sees he's not a striker, hopefully now LVG does too.
 
It's laughable how LVG has decided to use him. We should sign Aguero and play him left midifelder. Will be fecking brilliant.

He played two absolutely magical crosses today. AndHe was doing brilliant things consistently when he played deeper. He's got no real attribute suited to a striker or a second striker. Ridiculous.
 
ha_rooney said:
Much better when played deeper. Everyone sees he's not a striker, hopefully now LVG does too.
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I don't see how having pace can qualify as making one suitable to being a striker. He's never been a goalscorer and he doesn't like playing with his back to goal. It's a bizarre decision. He's our record signing ffs. Play him where he has played his best football.
 
It was so fecking naive to think that just because it worked for Robben that the same was going to be with Di Maria. Robben's touch is a lot more consistent to begin with.
 
Got bullied around so easily by none other than QPR defenders, he simply isn't a striker. He just looked heaps better in midfield.
 
Surprise surprise, looked really good and made a few chances once he just moved further back so he can run with the ball at defenders. Who would've thought it?
 
kouroux said:
It was so fecking naive to think that just because it worked for Robben that the same was going to be with Di Maria. Robben's touch is a lot more consistent to begin with.
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And they're completely different players. Other than being quick and left footed. Robben is a good goalscorer and an "attacker" in the true sense. Di Maria is a very very creative, and hard working attacking midifelder who can score some goals.
 
He is so much better when he can pick the ball deeper and run with it, there's more space for him there. He's useless with his back to the goal, LVG playing him is just clueless
 
As soon as Wilson came on he started to really look dangerous, but even before that toward the end of the first half he dropped a bit deeper and started attacking from wide right and getting himself into the game. I thought he did well for a player who is being completely mismanaged.
 
kouroux said:
It was so fecking naive to think that just because it worked for Robben that the same was going to be with Di Maria. Robben's touch is a lot more consistent to begin with.
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The stupid thing is if that's the kind of player we really wanted, then Sanchez would have been perfect for that role. Yet we showed no interest in him and let Arsenal pick him up for a great price. Di Maria is just not that player.
 
What I don't understand is that even with the dreaded 352, Di Maria could still play in a #10 role, where he's infinitely more effective.

Why not:

Valencia - Carrick - Blind
Mata - Rooney
Di Maria
Falcao
​
It's bizarre. Falcao's more than competent enough to play as a lone striker.
 
TooBias said:
What I don't understand is that even with the dreaded 352, Di Maria could still play in a #10 role, where he's infinitely more effective.

Why not:

Valencia - Carrick - Blind
Mata - Rooney
Di Maria
Falcao
​
It's bizarre. Falcao's more than competent enough to play as a lone striker.
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You could even switch him with Rooney. Let Di Maria attack from midfield, and Rooney plays in the number 10 role he's sometimes excelled in.
 
Clearly isn't a striker, and shouldn't be played there. If LVG wants pace up front, he needs to drop one of the big names for Wilson. Di Maria, has to be played deeper. I want to see the man getting on the ball far more and being given the chance to run at people like he was in the second half today. That is where he is best, and should be played.
 
Rooney should be up top and Di Maria in midfield. How can LVG not see this? Absolutely baffling especially as Di Maria began so well playing in midfield.
 
Wilson on, Di Maria dropped deeper, chances came, breaks flowed, opportunities to use pace arose.

Rooney forward, Di Maria deeper. It's time. Stop the games.
 
amolbhatia100 said:
It's laughable how LVG has decided to use him. We should sign Aguero and play him left midifelder. Will be fecking brilliant.
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Agreed.
If we wanted to buy a striker, we should've bought a striker (like Aguero), for £60M.
It would've been money better spent and would definitely yield results.
Instead, we buy a midfielder and decide to play him up-front.
If someone who had never seen Man Utd play was asked to identify our most expensive player, I doubt Di Maria would be identified as the one.

Also, if our plan B is to play long balls in to Fellaini (or other player), maybe we should buy a tall striker (like Crouch), as he would be more better suited to the long ball tactic.

I only hope that any new players bought, are played in their strongest positions. If we buy a defender, I dont want to see him played in midfield (or vice-versa).
 
Needs to learn to pass when there's players free around him, instead of tryna knock it between two defenders and losing it. Either that or he tried shooting from a silly range.
 
He looks like he's sulking because he knows he's playing the wrong position and LVG won't listen.
 
FC Ronaldo said:
Wilson on, Di Maria dropped deeper, chances came, breaks flowed, opportunities to use pace arose.

Rooney forward, Di Maria deeper. It's time. Stop the games.
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To be fair Di Maria was still more advanced than Rooney. Rooney was pretty much playing in the position Di Maria was when the diamond first came into play in September.
 
bosnian_red said:
Surprise surprise, looked really good and made a few chances once he just moved further back so he can run with the ball at defenders. Who would've thought it?
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He didn't look 'really good' at any point in that game. Been a bit of a disappointment this lad. Still plays like the guy I remember at Benfica, even though I was told he went up a level last year.
 
Saw his performance improve once he was played in his best position. He's a top class midfielder, a mediocre striker.
 
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