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Manchester United have finally signed a better version of Angel Di Maria
Manchester United signed Angel Di Maria back in the summer transfer window of 2014, with the Argentina international struggling following his arrival from Real Madrid that year.
By JACK OTWAY
Comment section
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Man Utd’s next six Premier League fixtures
It speaks volumes about Casemiro that Manchester United are ruing his absence ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Newcastle. The Brazil international has been a huge hit since his summer arrival from Real Madrid. And that’s in stark contrast to Angel Di Maria, who previously toiled after swapping the Bernabeu for Old Trafford back in 2014.
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That year, Manchester United were a wounded animal.
They had finished a dismal seventh in the Premier League table the previous season, with David Moyes losing his job after just 10 months as a result.
United, keen to show they were still capable of being a superpower, then decided to go down the Galactico route.
Radamel Falcao arrived from Monaco, with the Colombia international proceeding to return to the Ligue 1 giants after a dire spell in England.
But Di Maria was the big arrival, with the Argentina international becoming the club’s record signing in a £57million swoop.
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However, a spanner was thrown into the works recently when it emerged the Spain international had turned down a new contract.
By wanting to stick with the veteran, however, the Red Devils could be about to cost themselves the potential signings of Diogo Costa and David Raya.
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Manchester United failed to see the best of Angel Di Maria after Real Madrid transfer (Image: GETTY)
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It was a statement of intent. The forward was one of the best players in the world at the time, having propelled Real Madrid to Champions League glory.
And Louis van Gaal felt the attacker would be the perfect player to go in tandem with the likes of Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in attack.
Di Maria’s time in Manchester started well, with a wonderful chip against Leicester still talked about all these years on.
It was a majestic piece of skill, one that seemingly confirmed he could handle life in the roughness and toughness of the Premier League.
But Di Maria would end up leaving after a year, having fallen out of favour under Van Gaal – with Ashley Young often selected ahead of him.
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Manchester United have raided Real Madrid for three players over the past decade (Image: GETTY)
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In Casemiro, however, United have signed a player from Real Madrid who has been able to live up to expectations.
While the same can arguably be said of Raphael Varane, it’s taken him well over a year to find his feet. Injuries haven’t helped, while the Red Devils were appalling under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season.
Varane is good now, but he was unable to stop the club from enduring a shambolic campaign 12 months ago.
Casemiro, however, has been on a different level ever since swapping the Bernabeu for Old Trafford.
When he plays, United look strong. He has improved the players around him, silencing his critics with some storming displays in the process.
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Manchester United saw Angel Di Maria fade after a bright start (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United have seen the best of Casemiro ever since Real Madrid transfer (Image: GETTY)
And it speaks volumes the Red Devils are regretting his absence ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Casemiro was the best player on the pitch as United beat the Toon 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at the end of February.
And while Fred and Marcel Sabitzer are neat players, neither possess the same skillset as the former Madrid star.
When United signed Casemiro, some believed he would end up being another Di Maria.
Instead, he’s proved everybody wrong. And whether he can propel the Red Devils to more trophies this term ultimately remains to be seen.
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Speaking before the international break, meanwhile, Erik ten Hag backed his players to cope in the absence of their No 18.
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“We have had many more games without Casemiro,” said Ten Hag. “We have done really well without Casemiro. Against Arsenal, the two [fixtures] against Leeds.
“I remember all the games and I think we did really well without Casemiro at the start of the season.
“I want to have Casemiro available because he has a huge impact, but we also won many games without Casemiro and we have to do it with other players.”
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Friday, 5th January 2024
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