Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that club-record signing Angel Di Maria has been a ‘disappointment’ in his debut campaign at Old Trafford.
The Argentinian has struggled to find his best form since his summer move from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Talking about the midfielder Van Gaal said: “He cannot say that he has had a marvellous season here,”
“Normally Di Maria should have played, but the last weeks he doesn’t play anymore and the team is winning. Now, we are losing, so the chance of him coming back is higher. It is always like that. It is never that it is not like that.
“The issue that he is not always in the line-up is for him a disappointment, but also for me a disappointment.”
Di Maria has scored three goals this season and has also collected ten assists for the Red Devils in 30 appearances for United in all competitions.
Those statistics are not terrible, but for a player of his calibre and experience it could be seen as a poor return.
His time in Manchester has been hampered by injuries, which have meant that he does not seem to have settled properly in Van Gaal’s team.
The 27-year-olds statistics for this season are poor compared to last seasons. The 2013/14 season was the best of Di Maria’s career, as he produced 23 assists and scored seven goals in all competitions.
In the Spanish capital Di Maria was quite simply an assist machine and it was a major surprise that the Argentinian was sold last summer after such a good campaign.
However, Di Maria did not seem to fit into the Galactico category at Los Blancos, so was considered dispensable.
The midfielder was considered a marquee signing last summer and but for injuries could have enjoyed a far better season for the Red Devils.
If Di Maria can rediscover the form of last season then he could be a key player for Manchester United next season if he stays, if not then he may well go down as a United flop.
Has Angel Di Maria been a disappointment for United?
