Di Maria Arrival Prompts Selection Havoc for van Gaal

26 August 2014 03:41

With the record-breaking signing of Angel Di Maria now completed, many people have asked how the Argentinean will integrate into van Gaal’s much documented 3-5-2 formation.

The £60 million man comes to Manchester with a past which saw him predominantly employed as winger at Benfica and Real Madrid, yet also as a central playmaker in behind the striker.

Last season Di Maria was the linchpin to Madrid’s flourishing attacks, with 17 assists in La Liga – the most assists in any of Europe’s top divisions. Though not a prolific goal scorer – Di Maria only netted four league goals last season – the Argentine’s ability to dribble with the ball and stretch opposition defences means he will be a penned in starter in van Gaal’s side.

Yet in what position on the tactics board will the marker pen scribe Di Maria?

The ‘number 10 ’ role

If he were to be employed in van Gaal’s current formation of 3-5-2 he would flourish most in the role as the central ‘number 10’. Di Maria’s dribbling and record for goal assistance would promote his chances of starting ahead of Juan Mata in the side, despite Mata’s impressive record since arriving at Old Trafford last January.

The problem with Mata is that he has no versatility. His lack of pace and strength leaves him incompatible to play on the wing, yet his vision, control and technical abilities make him stapled to the position in behind the strikers. Plus, his disinterest to tackle and his lack of height leaves him unable to play the anchoring role in midfield.

Mata’s numbers since arriving at Old Trafford reflect his preference to play centrally behind the striker. In 10 appearances in a central area for United, Mata has scored seven goals from 15 attempts and got two assists. However, in seven appearances on the wing for United, Mata has scored no goals from five attempts and got two assists.

Striker

Alternatively, Di Maria could play as one of the two strikers. His pace when dribbling and willingness to make runs means he would push back the opposition defence, thus creating space for Mata to function in between the defence and midfield. However, Di Maria is better employed on the ball in attacks and driving through defences, as opposed to receiving it further up the pitch where finishing is the main forte required.

However, the predominant issue with Di Maria playing as a striker would be that either van Persie or Rooney would have to be played out of position if at all. Rooney has proved that he can still function as a top class striker and finisher since van Gaal gave him the opportunity to play there in the pre-season tour, plus being the captain may give Rooney the upper hand if it came between a choice of him or van Persie.

Although, of the four superstars in the side (van Persie, Rooney, Mata and Di Maria) Rooney is undoubtedly the most versatile. Sir Alex utilised him as a central attacking midfielder on many occasions and though Rooney’s strengths best compliment a forward role, he could always sit alongside Ander Herrera or Darren Fletcher as a midfielder in the 3-5-2 formation; allowing Mata and van Persie to resort to their natural positions.

Wing back

As aforementioned, Di Maria has predominantly earned his buck on the wing, mainly being used in the modern 4-2-3-1 formation as the left flanker in the ‘3’. However, it seems unlikely that he will be used in this position for United, as it requires perpetual motion down the touchline and a willingness to track opposition wingers and tackle – which WhoScored.com claims is his biggest weakness.

Deploying Di Maria into a wing back position would only deprive his natural instincts of attacking play and limit the capabilities which he was bought for. Plus, in Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, United already have sufficient supplies in the left wing back role.

Central midfield

At Real Madrid, central midfield was another area where Carlo Ancelotti tested Di Maria. Following Bale’s £85 million transfer to Madrid last year, it was believed Di Maria would lose his place in the first XI. Instead, he transformed his game and held down a starting position in central midfield.

The position of central midfield allows Di Maria to pick up the ball and dribble, bringing other payers into the game. If he could accentuate the attacking strengths of Rooney, van Persie and Mata then this could be the position where the dynamic Argentinean is best placed.

In fact, Ancelotti heavily praised Di Maria’s transformation to a central midfielder last year, saying, “Di Maria in the centre is good for the balance of the team.”

Personally, I think this is the position where Di Maria would be employed most successfully for the general welfare of the team – presuming van Gaal decides to persevere with the 3-5-2 formation. It gives provision for Mata to produce the quality he can richly provide in the hole behind the strikers and it allows the clinical finishers of Rooney and van Persie to let their natural aptitude prosper.

With the current squad set up, I feel the following starting XI has the best balance to cater for the superstars in the team: De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Rojo; Valencia, Ander Herrera, Di Maria, Shaw; Mata; Rooney, van Persie.

Then again, who am I to second guess Louis van Gaal?

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Source: DSG