Angel di Maria is available to feature for Manchester United against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday.
Owen Hargreaves has suggested on BT Sport’s Football Tonight show that Angel di Maria should return to the Manchester United starting line-up against Liverpool.
Argentina international winger Di Maria has been in disappointing form in recent weeks and has also struggled with injuries.
The 27-year-old former Real Madrid star was suspended for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, a match which the Red Devils won 3-0.
Di Maria will be available for this weekend’s encounter against Liverpool at Anfield, and former United midfielder Hargreaves suggests that he should play if he is fit.
“I think Di Maria walks back into the side when he is healthy, I think he has to,” the 34-year-old told BT Sport’s Football Tonight show on Monday.
“He is a superior player to a Fellaini, to a Mata, to a Herrera, so I think he has to play. He has to play off the right, like he does for Argentina, and drift inside.”
Based on current form, Di Maria simply cannot ‘walk back’ into the United starting line-up against Liverpool.
The former Benfica star has scored three goals and created 45 chances in 20 Premier League appearances so far this season, while having a pass accuracy of 78% and a shot accuracy of 43%.
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However, Di Maria is a world-class player, and his talent cannot be disputed. While the likes of Marouane Fellaini are playing better at the moment, the Argentine’s quality cannot be undermined.
It will be interesting to see how United manager Louis van Gaal lines up his team against Liverpool. Di Maria’s inclusion in the team will depend on the formation the Dutchman adopts against the Merseyside rivals.
Should Angel di Maria start against Liverpool?