The former United striker has backed the Argentine to improve but admits Louis van Gaal may not be the right manager to bring out his best ...
The former United striker has backed the Argentine to improve but admits Louis van Gaal may not be the right manager to bring out his best form
Diego Forlan insists Louis van Gaal should keep faith in Angel Di Maria and warns that Manchester United would regret selling the Argentine.
Goal understands that Di Maria is looking to leave Old Trafford this summer after becoming disillusioned with Louis van Gaal's management, although the Argentine has publicly stated that he wants to stay at United.
Forlan, who scored 17 goals in three seasons at United, believes the Argentina international deserves a chance to prove himself next season but admits Van Gaal may not be able to get the best out of the 27-year-old.
“I thought he was a superb signing for United because he is one of the best players in the world, but I was slightly surprised too. Louis van Gaal has never been a fan of South American players, as my good friend Juan Roman Riquelme will tell you from his time under the Dutchman at Barcelona,” Forlan wrote in his column for The National.
“Di Maria started out in England like the player we knew he was at Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season. He looked a class above opponents, he ran at defenders, he was a danger around the box and he covered so much ground. Less talented players have felt they were too good to work as hard as him.
“Players are not robots and if there’s something wrong then their coaches need to find out what the problem is. Di Maria is worth the effort. He offers something different from almost every other player.
“United will regret it if he leaves. He should be given another season to prove himself and United should try to understand him better and trust him.
“Great coaches and great players don’t always get on and not every player fits into rigid systems, but Di Maria is worth persisting with.”
