Player Focus: Can Di María Replicate his Copa America Form for United Next Season?

When you become the most expensive transfer in the history of a league, the pressure to succeed from the get go will always be high. That was the case with Ángel Di María who, after much speculation, put pen to paper for Manchester United in a deal worth £59.7m last summer. The Argentine established himself as a key player for Real Madrid after having a decisive role in their quest to land La Decima - Madrid’s 10th European trophy. 

His performance in the 2014 Champions League final saw him named man of the match by UEFA, with many pondering why Los Blancos allowed Di María to depart. The 27-year-old registered more assists (17) than any other player in Europe’s top 5 leagues in the 2013/14 campaign, though was ultimately not deemed as "marketable" by the Madrid hierarchy, who were keen to ship him out in order to accommodate James Rodríguez. 

PSG were initially favourites to secure his signature, but it was United who eventually convinced him to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford. On paper, the Argentina international enjoyed a successful debut campaign in the Premier League, with his 10 assists bettered only by Cesc Fàbregas (18) and Santi Cazorla (11). 

He made a bright start to life under Van Gaal - 3 goals and 6 assists in his opening 10 league appearances suggested he would acclimatise to the rigours of English football with consummate ease. However, between the end of November and May, Di María went on to register just 4 more assists in the league as he struggled to adjust to the ever-changing demands of his manager. The emergence of Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini as first choice regulars in midfield did not help Di María’s cause either. Meanwhile, Ashley Young’s return to the fore forced the Argentina international into a peripheral role, watching from the outside looking in as his teammates thrived. 

However, this summer in Chile, Di María performed to the standards expected of him. Only Lionel Messi (8.43) gained a better WhoScored rating at the Copa America than the playmaker (7.90). Such form saw him gain a spot in WhoScored’s Copa America team of the tournament. This was an attacking midfielder who, while devoid of confidence for his club, was at his brilliant best for his country. In 6 appearances for the Albiceleste this summer, Di María won more WhoScored man of the match awards (2) than he managed in 27 league appearances for United last term (1). 

The talent has no doubt always been there, it’s just that the morale was low under Van Gaal. Nevertheless, Tata Martino’s rigidity meant supporters were rarely able to see the best of this Argentina side in the final third. Given the talent at his disposal - Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Agüero, Carlos Tévez and Javier Pastore competing for places with Messi and Di María - Argentina perhaps should have romped to glory with some comfort this summer. Fans, though, witnessed their potential in the 6-1 thumping of Paraguay. Released from his shackles, Di María was central to this comfortable victory, netting 2 goals and registering 1 assist to land 1 of his 2 WhoScored man of the match awards. It’s fair to say he was at the hub of everything offensive for Argentina in the win. 

Boasting the necessary flair and offensive verve, Di María looked every bit the creator in chief United signed last summer. He averaged more key passes (2.2) and successful dribbles per game (2.2) at the Copa America than he managed for United in the Premier League last term (1.9 and 1.7, respectively). Maintaining such impressive form over a 38-game season is easier said than done, but his displays in Chile provided a glimpse into the Di María United supporters have come to expect to see at Old Trafford. 

Opposition sides were also more wary of the threat he carried in attack, noted in that he was fouled more times per game at the Copa America (1.7) than in the Premier League (0.8). Di María quickly needs to re-emerge as a player opposition sides fear in order to recapture his best form. Perhaps the most notable increase, though, came in the number of tackles per game at Chile 2015 (2.2) compared to the Premier League (0.5). The former Real Madrid ace is renowned for his tenacity both on and off the ball, yet the latter facet appeared to be lacking from his league performances, be it through a lack of effort on his behalf or due to the instructions of his manager. 

With the player quickly approaching his peak, Di María needs to be nurtured correctly upon his return to Carrington if United fans are to bear witness to the true qualities of the Argentine. Van Gaal knows he has one of the world’s best players at his disposal. The Dutchman now needs to coax Di María’s Copa America form out of him and transfer this into the Premier League or run the risk of the player being dubbed an expensive flop by his critics, in what is set to be a hugely important season for the Red Devils.

Do you think United fans will see the best of Ángel Di María in the Premier League next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below