da dobrowin： It may be three game weeks late, but Manchester United finally kicked off their Premier League season with the fabled first win under Louis van Gaal (in a competitive game) with a thumping 4-0 victory over QPR. Okay, the London side are, arguably, the worst side in the division and have conceded an alarming nine goals in four games, but that should not detract from how impressive the Red Devils were.
da betsul： And the man making them look so slick in the final third was undoubtedly new boy Angel di Maria. The £60m Argentine slotted in well for his home debut as he pulled on the No. 7 shirt, running the show from a slightly deeper role than some had expected him to take up upon his arrival from Real Madrid.
Is Angel the saviour for United? Here are five reasons we at FFC Towers think he could be…
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CLICK ON THE MAN HIMSELF TO REVEAL THE FIVE REASONS
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Creativity
Announcing yourself at Old Trafford with an excellent assist is a pretty good way to endear yourself to the club’s fans. Di Maria did this to set up the final goal of the slamming victory for United as he swept an inch perfect ball across the QPR box for Juan Mata to finish. This was not fluke either, with the Argentine having finished last season in La Liga as the highest assist-maker, beating now Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabregas in the running. He has also been described as the most important player in Real’s side from last season by some, illustrating just how useful his range of passing can be.
Also, had Robin van Persie had his shooting boots on this pass could be getting the recognition it really deserves…
Goals, goals and more goals
Even though Di Maria tried to suggest that his opening goal for United was no fluke (come on, Angel, we all know it was), there’s little doubting that he will find the net with regularity at Old Trafford. He may never have been truly prolific through his career – 2012/13 was his most productive season with seven goals – but the 26-year-old has spent a lot o his time stuck out wide or on the bench.
Given greater playing time and integral role by LVG, Di Maria could well produce the goal return expected from a player of his calibre.
Could he lure Ronaldo back to Old Trafford?
This is the big story in this morning’s newspapers. United are hopeful that Di Maria can convince Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the club next summer as they plot to land one big name every year to re-establish themselves as a genuine world force. Although ‘Ronny’ is, arguably, the world’s best player at, arguably, the world’s biggest football club, there may be some scope with this one. Ronaldo himself has been vocal regarding his annoyance at the sale of Di Maria, while his words regarding life at Old Trafford also convinced the 26-year-old to make the move. Further to this, CR7 has made no secret of his desire to return, where a link up with the player who teed him up for the goal below (it’s a corker) could be on.
Versatility
Although Di Maria has been used as a central midfielder in his two outings for United so far, he is more comfortable in an advanced role. The Argentine made his name as a winger with Benfica – on both flanks – before joining Real, where he also featured as a No. 10 on many occasions. Further to this he could be used as a wing back if Van Gaal goes back to a 3-4-1-2 set-up. Plenty of scope there for LVG to work with as he sets about finding his best XI after a tough start to the season.
The fear factor
Swansea’s opening day win at Old Trafford and the sheer number of smaller teams to get points there last season seemed to hint that the days in which the Theatre of Dreams was a fearsome venue are gone. But with Di Maria among a list of stellar names now in the Red Devils’ line up, the decades in which Sir Alex Ferguson turned the club’s home ground into a cauldron could be on their way back. How many sides will want to go toe-to-toe with United’s wealth of talent if result pick up in the coming weeks? Not many!