After a promising start to the campaign, Angel Di Maria has hit an impasse at Manchester United. Since the turn of the calendar year, the 27-year-old has just one goal and three assists in 15 appearances.
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Poor form led to a rift with manager Louis van Gaal, who according to the Manchester Evening News, berated Di Maria following a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in March. Not naming names, the United boss hinted that certain players had not pulled their weight in the second half of the contest.
"In the second half everything is changing because of [Steven Gerrard's] red and then we are not anymore playing like a team," he said (via the Independent). "We are running with the ball, unnecessary losses of the ball, so that was not so good."
Sensing an opportunity to land one of the game's most dynamic wingers, Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made advances upwards of £60 million (via Goal Transfer Talk); however, according to the Sun, Di Maria has no interest in such advances and will reject them to prove himself at Old Trafford.
Despite a rumored fall out and poor form, van Gaal still expects the £59.7 million signing to remain with the club next season.
"A player is not just a man who kicks the ball from A to B," he said (via ESPN FC). Also, his environment is influencing him, so I shall always be open for that conversation [of a transfer], but I know also the commercial interests of the club and we have to respect that."
"You cannot give a lot of money for a player and then next season put him out of your selection," van Gaal added. "I think that he shall stay because what I have seen in his reaction after the defeat and after his red card against Arsenal is very good. I like his attitude."
Manchester United return to the pitch on Apr. 4 against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
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