Diego Forlan blasts Louis van Gaal over Di Maria use

Angel Di Maria has had a difficult 12 months since signing for Manchester United but ex-forward Diego Forlan has defended the midfielder, taking a swipe at manager Louis van Gaal instead.

Forlan, who recently retired from international football, believes Van Gaal has used Di Maria wrongly during his time in charge of United and that he needs to stick by him if United are to progress next season.

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The former Atletico Madrid striker also played at United under Sir Alex Ferguson and experienced the same difficulty in adapting to the Premier League. However, Forlan believes Di Maria offers something different and can change games with his playing style.

"“I thought he was a superb signing for United because he’s one of the best players in the world but I was slightly suprised too,” said Forlan, as reported by the Metro.“Louis van Gaal has never been a fan of South American players, as my good friend Juan Roman Riquelme will tell you from his time under the Dutchman at Barcelona.“Di Maria started out in England like the player we knew he was at Real Madrid in the 2013/14 season. He looked a class above opponents, he ran at defenders, he was a danger around the box and he covered so much ground. Less talented players have felt they were too good to work as hard as him.“Players are not robots and if there’s something wrong then their coaches need to find out what the problem is. Di Maria is worth the effort. He offers something different from almost every other player.”"

Di Maria, 27, is currently on international duty with Argentina and he has been in tremendous form – helping them reach the Copa America final against Chile. The former Real Madrid man has been lining up alongside Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero and the trio have been producing the goods with Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore in behind.

A win this weekend for Argentina would leave Di Maria in confident mood ahead of the pre-season with United and that could be good for all associated with the club. However, until the transfer window ends its likely Di Maria will be linked with a number of clubs but Forlan believes it would be a mistake if the Old Trafford side sell him.

"He added: “United will regret it if he leaves. He should be given another season to prove himself and United should try to understand him better and trust him.“Great coaches and great players don’t always get on and not every player fits into rigid systems, but Di Maria is worth persisting with.”"

United fans have made it clear on Twitter that they want him to stay another season with Premier League champions Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all strengthening. The Red Devils will need their best players and the Argentine is one of them especially with Champions League football on the horizon.