When Manchester United got Angel Di Maria earlier this week, it was thought that the journey back to the top will finally start for the 20 times League Champions as big names seemed to resume their journey back to Old Trafford as players like Arturo Vidal and Daley Blind are also coming to join the ship. However as it unblocked, it was only the new comers that are coming without any sort of fresh hope to an already strutting ship. Angel Di Maria was lively as long as he was on the pitch from the start but as it came out it was believed that the problem is bigger and fierce than was probably thought.
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Angel Di Maria was starting Manchester United attacks right from his own half, justifying the price tag and showing versatility.
Looking at the 3-5-2 formation that is introduced for the 1st time in the Premier League, it was thought that it will take some time for the Manchester United team to be in reason with it. Still with the way senior players like Wayne Rooney and former Van Gaal trainee Robin Van Persie finding it difficult to make it through, it seems all isn’t very good for the former Dutch boss. And if seasoned players will take some time, you can imagine what the new breed will be feeling right now.
Looking at their game at Burnley and keeping that as a point of focus, Angel Di Maria was by far the most influential player for a beleaguered Manchester United side and keeping in mind that it was his first game, it is now clear what is wrong with Manchester United now, the absence of quality in the midfield.
While Ashley Young hadn’t found his foot since signing for Manchester United in the Luis Van Gaal era, the sudden drop in form of Antonio Valencia from last season is a point of concern for new manager, While Ashley Young is famous for his crosses, Antonio Valencia was famous far too predictable in the right flank. Everytime he seemed to find himself in the hole, and tried to get the ball in the final third from zero-range however in the absence of any in-form striker it made him far too predictable and in a 3-5-2 formation where wingers are the most important part in attack as well as in defense, this is the problem Luis Van Gall had to sort out quickly.
As Tom Clevery has been sold to Aston Villa already in a clear indication of more arrivals, 9million pound seemed to be more than reasonable for the Englishman. However, we have to look if United would be able to get Vidal and if they can do it, they have certainly replaced Andy Carrol with Luis Suarez there. And with players like Juan Mata, Angel DI Maria to his company, the Chilean midfielder might feel a bit easier here.
Real test lies ahead:
One thing that can add salt to the wounds of Manchester United fans in their fixture list now. While all Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal been handed tough draws relatively early in this campaign, Manchester United was given a much needed less frightening fixture list and this is what that can back-fire for them later on. While they can pick up their form against mid-table teams after last match, they have lost 7 points against teams they felt they should have won. So even if they can pick up their form against relatively smaller teams off-late, their real test is waiting for them in the near-future.
Amir Bashir follow him on Twitter.
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