When Manchester United bought Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid the price tag was £59.7 million, a British transfer record. It shattered, and I mean absolutely shattered the club’s previous record of £37.2 million for Juan Mata; set last January.
Has it been worth the price tag? Well, Di Maria has a few “man of the match” awards at Old Trafford to his credit already, and he really personifies the difference between Man United under Louis van Gaal versus Man United under David Moyes.
As slow as United have started, they’re still in fourth place right now, the final spot to qualify for UEFA Champions League, if the season ended today. But take a look at the statistical production by Angel Di Maria so far, maybe it is money well spent. He has been incredible thus far.
Di Maria’s stats so far this season. pic.twitter.com/O6lKU0Gd2z
— Man Utd News (@SirAlexStand) October 7, 2014
And that goal scored by the Argentine Winger versus Leicester City was sublime (watch it here). His scoring strike on Sunday was sweet too (video here). Only an elite player with his skill set could have accomplished that. If there is anyone on the current United roster who could be place on the top 5 or top 5 current footballers list, it’s Angel Di Maria.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and very often writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2