Been injured but certainly not worth the fee so far.
Hasn't been helped by playing out of position but when played in his natural position he's been poor for a lot of the time with the odd flash of genius.
People said when we signed him (Ancelotti too) that when he's good he's amazing but when he's bad he's embarrassing (not Ancelotti's exact words).
IMO would MUCH rather we'd gotten Sanchez but Di Maria has the talent to make me eat my words.
What's his natural position?
Between Real Madrid, United and Argentina I've seen him play pretty much every position across the middle third of the pitch
IMO his natural position is on the left side of midfield. Ideally in a 433.
For example for Real..
Modric Alonso Di Maria
Bale Benzema Ronaldo
Well for Real madrid he used to play as a box to box cm. Last season it was Alonso in a DM role and di maria and modric in a central midfield position. He did still drift out to the wings and he did get a couple of assists from crosses.
What do you lot think of his performances so far this season?
-------------------------------------------
Average to Excellent, typical with wide players, they frustrate and excite in equal measure
Do you think he has justified his 60 mill price tag?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That really should be assessed at the end of the season.
Does he play better on the wings or in a central position?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wide positions suit him best but he looks good in the middle as well
What was he realistically worth?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Considering he is better than James Rodriguez and Bale, I would say we got his value about right.
If PSG offered 60 mill for him in the summer would you take it?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, because to find someone like him again would cost more
He's not better than Bale.
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
He only really played centrally on a consistent basis last year, when Ancelotti was seeking an answer to our porosity in central midfield, but not before.
He can go through phases where he stinks, but his work rate and stamina always made him a valuable defensive asset at Madrid because our other attacking players weren't required to do much defensive work.
Personally I prefer him as a winger.
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real kept one and sold the other one. Bale is faaaaar more consistent than Di Maria.
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Different players, very much depends on what's required in view of the attacking/defensive balance of the team.
Hasn't been helped by playing out of position but when played in his natural position he's been poor for a lot of the time with the odd flash of genius.
When he ha splayed midfield he's always looked good imo. Up top the last couple of games on the wings versus Chelsea Ect he was poor.
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real kept one and sold the other one. Bale is faaaaar more consistent than Di Maria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ask the Madrid fans who they preferred to have kept.
I think you will find he was sold to accommodate James
"I think you will find he was sold to accommodate James"
Correct, and he looks very good. Time will tell if he has the mental capacity to be as good as Di Maria when it matters though.
We've yet to see the best of Di Maria, but it's hard to put down a man who was MOTM in a CL Final with so many fantastic players. At his best Di Maria is as good as most in the world.
Yeah as much as I rate James, he was not needed. We are now playing Isco in CM and while he is doing a good job, he is more suited to the AM role.
Based on the last few seasons I don't think you can sensibly argue that he is better than Bale. Bale contributes in roughly 2 out of 3 games, Di Maria can go very quiet very often.
He isn't worth £60m, but given United's struggles to attract top players it wouldn't make much sense to sell him, and who would you buy with the money? If Reus wants to go to Madrid who can you possibly buy with that £60m in that position?
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real kept one and sold the other one. Bale is faaaaar more consistent than Di Maria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ask the Madrid fans who they preferred to have kept.
I think you will find he was sold to accommodate James
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sure most United fans would swap Di Maria for Bale now if we could.
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
For a winger Bale has a pretty decent scoring record in his past 3 seasons.
61 goals in 115 games.
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Standing out at Spurs or standing out at Madrid or Barcelona, which one is the bigger challenge?
Slightly differnet players but I would happily swap di Maria for Bale.
Younger, stronger, proven in the PL, far more likely to stay at United for a long period. The ease at which he fitted into Real and a new league and culture was very impressive, he will only likely improve at Real. From what I've read regarding di Maria, he was very inconsistent at Real with last season easily being his best.
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Standing out at Spurs or standing out at Madrid or Barcelona, which one is the bigger challenge?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He's stood out at both though.
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But it's fair to say that Di Maria was the better and offered a hight contribution that Bale last season, in Madrid.
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 0 seconds ago
For a winger Bale has a pretty decent scoring record in his past 3 seasons.
61 goals in 115 games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd say that's more than decent...off the top of my head can't think of any wingers with better records (not counting Ronaldo as a winger), certainly ahead of Hazard, Alexis Sanchez, Reus, Goetze...and miles ahead of Di Maria.
He is also 18 months younger than Di Maria, and let's be honest more likely to commit himself to United for 5 years rather than just wait for a better offer to come along.
I doubt RM will sell him to anyone, but I would have thought that 99% of United fans would bite their hands off for a player swap involving ADM going the other way.
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 6 seconds ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But it's fair to say that Di Maria was the better and offered a hight contribution that Bale last season, in Madrid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
True, but it's also fair to say that over a longer period that Bale has been more consistent. He's been top class pretty consistently for 3/4 years whereas Di Maria has been good but only really stood out last season.
This season Bale is miles ahead.
Sign in if you want to comment
Di Maria - Season so far
Page 1 of 2
posted on 19/1/15
Been injured but certainly not worth the fee so far.
Hasn't been helped by playing out of position but when played in his natural position he's been poor for a lot of the time with the odd flash of genius.
People said when we signed him (Ancelotti too) that when he's good he's amazing but when he's bad he's embarrassing (not Ancelotti's exact words).
IMO would MUCH rather we'd gotten Sanchez but Di Maria has the talent to make me eat my words.
posted on 19/1/15
What's his natural position?
Between Real Madrid, United and Argentina I've seen him play pretty much every position across the middle third of the pitch
posted on 19/1/15
IMO his natural position is on the left side of midfield. Ideally in a 433.
For example for Real..
Modric Alonso Di Maria
Bale Benzema Ronaldo
posted on 19/1/15
Well for Real madrid he used to play as a box to box cm. Last season it was Alonso in a DM role and di maria and modric in a central midfield position. He did still drift out to the wings and he did get a couple of assists from crosses.
posted on 19/1/15
What do you lot think of his performances so far this season?
-------------------------------------------
Average to Excellent, typical with wide players, they frustrate and excite in equal measure
Do you think he has justified his 60 mill price tag?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That really should be assessed at the end of the season.
Does he play better on the wings or in a central position?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wide positions suit him best but he looks good in the middle as well
What was he realistically worth?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Considering he is better than James Rodriguez and Bale, I would say we got his value about right.
If PSG offered 60 mill for him in the summer would you take it?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
No, because to find someone like him again would cost more
posted on 19/1/15
He's not better than Bale.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
posted on 19/1/15
He only really played centrally on a consistent basis last year, when Ancelotti was seeking an answer to our porosity in central midfield, but not before.
He can go through phases where he stinks, but his work rate and stamina always made him a valuable defensive asset at Madrid because our other attacking players weren't required to do much defensive work.
Personally I prefer him as a winger.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real kept one and sold the other one. Bale is faaaaar more consistent than Di Maria.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Different players, very much depends on what's required in view of the attacking/defensive balance of the team.
posted on 19/1/15
Hasn't been helped by playing out of position but when played in his natural position he's been poor for a lot of the time with the odd flash of genius.
When he ha splayed midfield he's always looked good imo. Up top the last couple of games on the wings versus Chelsea Ect he was poor.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real kept one and sold the other one. Bale is faaaaar more consistent than Di Maria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ask the Madrid fans who they preferred to have kept.
I think you will find he was sold to accommodate James
posted on 19/1/15
"I think you will find he was sold to accommodate James"
Correct, and he looks very good. Time will tell if he has the mental capacity to be as good as Di Maria when it matters though.
We've yet to see the best of Di Maria, but it's hard to put down a man who was MOTM in a CL Final with so many fantastic players. At his best Di Maria is as good as most in the world.
posted on 19/1/15
Yeah as much as I rate James, he was not needed. We are now playing Isco in CM and while he is doing a good job, he is more suited to the AM role.
posted on 19/1/15
Based on the last few seasons I don't think you can sensibly argue that he is better than Bale. Bale contributes in roughly 2 out of 3 games, Di Maria can go very quiet very often.
He isn't worth £60m, but given United's struggles to attract top players it wouldn't make much sense to sell him, and who would you buy with the money? If Reus wants to go to Madrid who can you possibly buy with that £60m in that position?
posted on 19/1/15
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
posted on 19/1/15
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 1 minute ago
He's not better than Bale.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He is, not even close
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Real kept one and sold the other one. Bale is faaaaar more consistent than Di Maria.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ask the Madrid fans who they preferred to have kept.
I think you will find he was sold to accommodate James
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sure most United fans would swap Di Maria for Bale now if we could.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
posted on 19/1/15
For a winger Bale has a pretty decent scoring record in his past 3 seasons.
61 goals in 115 games.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Standing out at Spurs or standing out at Madrid or Barcelona, which one is the bigger challenge?
posted on 19/1/15
Slightly differnet players but I would happily swap di Maria for Bale.
Younger, stronger, proven in the PL, far more likely to stay at United for a long period. The ease at which he fitted into Real and a new league and culture was very impressive, he will only likely improve at Real. From what I've read regarding di Maria, he was very inconsistent at Real with last season easily being his best.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Standing out at Spurs or standing out at Madrid or Barcelona, which one is the bigger challenge?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He's stood out at both though.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But it's fair to say that Di Maria was the better and offered a hight contribution that Bale last season, in Madrid.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by Robb - My good man. (U19350)
posted 0 seconds ago
For a winger Bale has a pretty decent scoring record in his past 3 seasons.
61 goals in 115 games.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd say that's more than decent...off the top of my head can't think of any wingers with better records (not counting Ronaldo as a winger), certainly ahead of Hazard, Alexis Sanchez, Reus, Goetze...and miles ahead of Di Maria.
He is also 18 months younger than Di Maria, and let's be honest more likely to commit himself to United for 5 years rather than just wait for a better offer to come along.
I doubt RM will sell him to anyone, but I would have thought that 99% of United fans would bite their hands off for a player swap involving ADM going the other way.
posted on 19/1/15
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 6 seconds ago
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 3 minutes ago
Contributions in Spurs or contributions in Madrid.
Hmmmm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, Bale has done both. His last 3 seasons he has performed well in both England and Spain - unlike Di Maria (or Suarez for that matter).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But it's fair to say that Di Maria was the better and offered a hight contribution that Bale last season, in Madrid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
True, but it's also fair to say that over a longer period that Bale has been more consistent. He's been top class pretty consistently for 3/4 years whereas Di Maria has been good but only really stood out last season.
This season Bale is miles ahead.
Page 1 of 2