A winger with pace, close control and the ability to dribble past defenders and cross. The scene at Manchester United has been barren for this type of player since Cristiano Ronaldo made his historic move to Madrid.
A number of attempts have been made to sign a winger of comparative effect, however the results have been comparatively fruitless.
Antonio Valencia was quick and direct but lacked finesse and accuracy of crossing, Ashley Young demonstrated glimpses of his ability to cut inside and shoot from distance but ultimately was not a consistent or reliable option.
Meanwhile Nani has been a peripheral figure, his frustrating tendency to destroy chances and the perception that he wasn’t contributing in a defensive respect influencing his gradual phasing out.
Adnan Januzaj, the baby-faced Belgian, was a player of promise in last season’s dire campaign and should feature heavily in this one, but a major coup that is set to be completed is the signature of Real Madrid’s lithe attacker Angel Di Maria.
Di Maria is an elite winger with rapid pace and a direct style. He was a vital cog of Madrid’s Champions League winning team and posed an ever-present threat during Argentina’s successful World Cup campaign. He is a player able to manipulate his body and his slim build helps in deviating past opponents.
Ideally, Di Maria functions best in a 4-3-3 system as the left-sided attacker, however it has been suggested that he could adopt a role as a wingback in Louis van Gaal’s system.
Di Maria certainly possess the speed to operate in that role but it would impede his attacking output and potentially expose his defensive deficiencies. He could effectively be positioned as one of the two forwards in a 5-3-2 as this would maximise his forward impetus, and he would have greater freedom to integrate himself into the game as he sees fit.
Di Maria evidently provides versatility, and at a purported 60 million pound price tag, it is hopeful that he will have the immediate effect that Manchester United desperately requires. With the acquisition of Marcos Rojo, the fiery wingback from Sporting Lisbon, Angel will be an impressive arrival to Old Trafford and will be aim to revitalise the somewhat static nature of Manchester United’s attack.
Van Gaal, however, should not only be satisfied with this signing as glaring gaps still exist in the centre of the midfield and the centre of defence. Manchester United have grabbed one fortunate point in two matches and have limped through with little semblance of the confidence that was exerted in pre-season. Angel Di Maria will be a necessary step to restore some of the lost hope, but it is clear more recruits are necessary.
Hudson Magerstein
Roar Rookie
j binnie - I agree with your mentioning of Rafael in the holding midfield role as he is a persistent and ankle biting player who works very hard to win the ball. As you mentioned though he can often be caught out of position because of his dire need to always win the ball. I think that van Gaal should look at Nick Powell to play in the midfield, sure he is young, but he has played at a high level with England at the under-16 to under-21 level. He also played a big role at Wigan whilst on loan, making 42 appearances and scoring 12 goals. If not Powell, than I don't know who else. Cleverley lost the ball more times than he kept it on the weekend, and Fletcher seemed like he constantly needed 3-4 touches before he was fully in control. I'm not sure of the Di Maria signing, of course he is world class, a great buy for any club! But, can he fit the system? An attack minded winger has been known to defend poorly (eg. Young ball-watching against Swansea for Routledge to win the ball and play Sigurdsson, and Valencia ball-watching on a corner for his man, Rodwell, to finish an unmarked header). A formation change seems the ideal solution to accommodate the forward talent United have. Or play Di Maria in the midfield with Mata and play one holding midfielder, of course that can expose the three at the back more than they already have been. This signing will test van Gaal!
jammel
Guest
A very strange signing I think. It is certainly sending a message as a big name. But we still need at least one top drawer centre half and a DM. For mine, ADM best fits into United playing at 4-2-3-1, with the 2-3-1 being (atm): Herrera Carrick Rooney Mata ADM RVP The "3" behind Robin van Persie could interchange and play anywhere. Januzcaj to back them up.
Zee
Roar Guru
Defence Defence Defence... Stoked by this signing, BUT having all these wonder boys upfront will do absolute nada, if we can't fill the whole at the back & in CM... Like what hope do Di Maria, Mata, RvP, Rooney & Adz have when Fellani & Tclev23 are controlling the ranks into MF...
Joel Clarke
Roar Pro
Interesting point. Whatever the system, need to be able to maximise Rooney, RVP, Mata, Di Maria and Januzaj.
aladdin sane
Guest
probably worth noting that di maria can play as a left central midfielder too, as he did at times for madrid last year. He definitely won't be playing as wing back. LVG is only playing 3 at the back because of united's squad, nothing to say he won't change it now he has a decent winger. still, be interesting to see how it all develops. mata has proven how effective he is playing behind the front two (scored 7 in his last 8), just wonder how you can accommodate both him central and di maria out wide? LVG is the master tactician though, and doubt he would have sanctioned such a big spend if he didn't know precisely what he was going to do. Doesn't strike me as the kind of manager that would buy for the sake of it, or in panic.
j binnie
Guest
Joel Funny you should say that for I think there is a man in the squad who could do the same job as was done for ac Milan and Italy for a number of years, Not a flashy player,not a great tactician ,but a supreme ball winner in the middle of the park who would ,having won possession, lay it off quickly to more productive playmakers like Pirlo.This player ,Genaro Gattusso,who, having been rejected by Dutch master coach Advocaat,was sold by Rangers and went on to play 77 times for Italy and Milan under Ancelotti.!!!!!!!! Who in United's squad could do the same job???? I reckon the Brazilian Rafael Da Silva,who has been at United since 2008 has all the physicsl and attitude qualities that Gattusso had and yet has been tried on and off as a right wing back for most of his career,more often than not getting caught out of position due to his keeness to get the ball.To me it was amazing he was never given an extended run there when Scholes announced his retirement,just as Carrick,whose lack of true pace sees him often caught out in midfield, should be seen as a replacement for Ferdinand after his move,they being very similar players, but that's United for you. jb
Joel Clarke
Roar Pro
If he signs, I see them playing a 4-4-2. Not nsure if the 3-4-1-2 system is working at the moment and need to reinforce at the back. May also look at a 4-3-1-2, but would need a beast in central midfield for this to happen
AZ_RBB
Guest
United need Khedira much more than they need Di Maria. But I guess we can just try the "you score 3, we score 4" approach.