When Manchester United first got linked with Angel di Maria soccersweep went against the grain, and put a lot of noses out of joint, by declaring that he simply wasn’t worth the money being mooted for his services.
This was a player who had enjoyed a superb season at Real Madrid but who had really failed to shine with any real consistency before that. Until 2013/14 he was very much like Nani. A player with all the physical attributes to be a top player but who didn’t always persuade us that he had the vital football brain to match.
Then he joined Manchester United and had a blinding first few games. He scored against QPR and dazzled with a sublime goal against Leicester. He looked to have the pace and invention so patently lacking from this Manchester United side.
But, just like another expensive Argentine signing for Manchester United, Seba Veron, overall the lad just hasn’t adapted to the English game so far.
We have to admit that, even now, the pulse is quickened by his introduction to any game. He is an exciting talent and has pace to burn – such a vital virtue in The Premier League.
And you can put a lot of his recent performances down to bad form. But, some of the unforced errors that he has committed in the last couple of months almost beggar belief.
Di Maria has always been the type of footballer who regularly gives the ball away. He is a player who takes risks in order to unlock defences. But, over the last few months he has become as frustrating as Nani was in his last few years at the club. United held onto Nani for too long. His loan move has proved vital in his recovery as a footballer.
And Manchester Untied now find themselves in a similarly difficult situation with Di Maria.
He has has some magic moments for United but, at times, he looks as if he would struggle to command a fee of £6m never mind £60m. And if this form continues Manchester United may find themselves with hugely costly egg all over their faces.
Perhaps now is the time to cut their losses and offload the player to a club like PSG while they can still get a decent price for the lad.
Manchester United fans: is a quick and clean break required for Di Maria?
