In the eyes of Manchester United fans, Angel Di Maria is a snake, a bottler, and a man who was never worthy of wearing the famous No.7 shirt.
After his mysterious pre-season vanishing act, the Argentine has finally joined Paris Saint-Germain following a miserable year in Manchester.
From being the man of the match in the Champions League final in 2014, Di Maria fell so far that he could barely get a look in at Old Trafford as a resurgent Ashley Young helped secure a top-four spot.
To many, it’s miraculous that United are recouping a good slice of the fee they paid for Di Maria last summer. Not just because of his underwhelming performances, but because it’s Paris Saint-Germain who are stumping up the cash – a club supposedly constrained by Financial Fair Play rules after spunking a ludicrous amount on David Luiz.
Few of the Old Trafford faithful will be sad to see him go. Despite Di Maria’s flashes of brilliance early on – such as that lob against Leicester – his appearances gradually became strewn with misplaced passes, aimless dribbles and being shoulder-barged into the stands. Before long, his £60m arse was collecting splinters on the bench.
But while his performances have not lived up to expectations in Manchester, it’s maybe a little unfair to suggest that Di Maria’s short stay was not worthwhile.
Despite playing like a drunk version of his former self on several occasions, the stats show that he still managed to create 11 goals- the third highest in the Premier League and ahead of PFA player of the year, Eden Hazard.
For all the talk in recent weeks of David De Gea’s crucial saves being the difference to United securing a top-four berth, the same could argued of the Argentine’s contribution.
In terms of making a statement, Di Maria’s signing alone was significant for United. After a nightmare season, it was a symbol to the football world that United weren’t the sinking ship people had assumed. Who knows? Without it, other big names such as Bastian Schweinsteiger might not have been so keen to sign up.
Di Maria’s mere presence in the early weeks of the season was important, too. Under David Moyes, opponents arrived at Old Trafford willing to have a go at United – knowing that taking three points was a real possibility.
But with Di Maria’s name on the team sheet, United’s rivals were notably more cautious of the damage they could do. Defences sat a little deeper, with some of the old fear factor returning.
For all the positives, the winger’s nose-dive in form since the turn of the year means that he won’t be missed. By comparison, United fans’ reaction to Rafael joining Lyon has shown that a desire to play for the shirt is more endearing – and enduring – than a world-class reputation.
Allowing Di Maria to leave is the right decision, but his brief stay in Manchester has at least served a purpose.
