There have been many reasons suggested as to why the Argentine’s form has dropped to such an embarrassingly low level. Louis van Gaal says it will take the attacker a full season to properly get to grips with his new surroundings, that it’s usual for imports to struggle in debut campaigns. But he wasn’t struggling at the beginning of the season. He was consistently impressive and threatened repeatedly when running at defenders from deep or whipping in dangerous crosses and set-pieces.
But it’s getting to the point where van Gaal must decide whether it’s worth persisting with the club’s record signing or just leave him out altogether. Substituted in his last three games, including that humiliating withdrawal at half-time in the clash with Sunderland, his all-round game has evaporated and his confidence appears non-existent. When United have other notable problems in the attacking third, it’s a headache United’s manager could do without.
So, does he take Di Maria out of the firing line for a brief spell? Is it really much of a gamble when he’s been playing so poorly? And Van Gaal hasn’t exactly shied away from the big decisions so far: replacing the raw and nervy Paddy McNair against Southampton after just 39 minutes regardless of the possible longer-lasting effects, moving Wayne Rooney to a deep midfield role despite the widespread criticism, dropping the high-profile Falcao, even allowing the well-liked Danny Welbeck to move to Arsenal.
Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Martin Rickett / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Van Gaal has spoken of how Robin van Persie was lucky not to be dropped earlier in the season, adding only a lack of alternatives ensured he kept his place. But in contrast, Van Gaal has a couple of players capable of stepping in to replace Di Maria, including Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj.
Alexis Sanchez is back in the goals at the right time
The Chilean, heralded as such an exciting and exhilarating signing last summer, certainly lived up to the hype…until mid-January when the goals dried up.
Many have speculated that the return of Mesut Ozil has been the main driving-force behind the attacker’s issues and it makes some sense, with Sanchez asked to take on a more orthodox wide position to accommodate the German’s comeback. But he’s also had to contend with a hamstring injury and the inevitability of experiencing a slide, and essentially regressing to the mean after a prolonged period of above-average displays. There’s also the tiredness factor, which Arsene Wenger spoke about earlier this year.
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Adam Davy / EMPICS Sport
Adam Davy / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
But, he popped up with the all-important second goal against QPR last week and after a difficult recent spell, it will surely spark a return to something resembling his form across September, October and November.
Ashley Young’s renaissance
It’s worth remembering that there was a genuine conversation when Young was tearing it up at Aston Villa that he could play in a central, playmaking role, that he had more to his game than being a conventional winger. That discussion evaporated quickly but what has been striking is how he has taken to life under Louis Van Gaal and shown a willingness to try new things.
On United’s pre-season tour of America, he featured at wing-back and relished the new challenge and as other players have had huge difficulties in adapting to United’s ‘radical’ new formation, Young has impressed. But, as the formation has under-gone countless changes, he’s remained consistent. Against Sunderland, he was United’s main attacking threat and was a constant menace with his (albeit limited) trickery and purpose.
Richard Sellers / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Richard Sellers / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
With his team having well-documented issues in the final third, his ability to take a player on and deliver a cross into a dangerous zone has been a welcome relief. And, despite a distinct old-school flavour to his general play, when Young gets on the ball and attacks, the Manchester United supporters respond to such a rare treat. The very fact he’s willing to drive towards the by-line is enough for the frustrated fans to let loose.
He went close to a goal against the Black Cats and was on hand to grab the game-winner against Newcastle. With his performance against Arsenal in 2011 sure to be referenced repeatedly in the build-up, it will only add to his new-found confidence.
Gunners still struggle against rivals
Traditionally, Arsenal have problems in big games. A quick glance at their results this season will tell you that they’ve lost against Chelsea, United, Southampton, Tottenham while they were embarrassed in the first leg of their Champions League knock-out tie with Monaco.
But what’s most frustrating for Gunners’ fans is that it wasn’t that long ago when Santi Cazorla inspired them to a 2-0 victory over reigning league champions Manchester City and it seemed a water-shed moment: when the North Londoners stepped up and delivered when it mattered. Naturally, just a few weeks later came a derby defeat while the awful loss to the French side has cut deep owing to the repercussions.
Matt Dunham / AP/Press Association Images
Matt Dunham / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Before the end of the campaign, Arsenal must face in-form Liverpool, leaders Chelsea while they return to Old Trafford on the penultimate weekend. Again, their season may be determined by how they do against their immediate rivals and as the battle for the Champions League places intensifies, they must go against the script and grind out results in matches that carry the most significance.
More defensive woes for the hosts
With Jonny Evans set for a lengthy spell in the stands, the spotlight will focus on United’s defensive make-up once again.
Richard Sellers / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Richard Sellers / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Though it certainly hasn’t been as chaotic as it was towards the beginning of the season, the team’s rearguard appears to be primed for self-destruction on a regular basis. Evans is certainly not a commanding figure while Chris Smalling seems perpetually at odds with Van Gaal’s aspirations of his defenders striding forward and confidently opening the game up. Instead, there’s a nervousness and skittishness, a fear of being caught out.
With enforced changes to the defence now, there’s the anxiety that will no doubt accompany the alterations. And Arsenal will look to exploit it.
5 talking points ahead of Manchester United v Arsenal
How do you solve a problem like Di Maria?
There have been many reasons suggested as to why the Argentine’s form has dropped to such an embarrassingly low level. Louis van Gaal says it will take the attacker a full season to properly get to grips with his new surroundings, that it’s usual for imports to struggle in debut campaigns. But he wasn’t struggling at the beginning of the season. He was consistently impressive and threatened repeatedly when running at defenders from deep or whipping in dangerous crosses and set-pieces.
But it’s getting to the point where van Gaal must decide whether it’s worth persisting with the club’s record signing or just leave him out altogether. Substituted in his last three games, including that humiliating withdrawal at half-time in the clash with Sunderland, his all-round game has evaporated and his confidence appears non-existent. When United have other notable problems in the attacking third, it’s a headache United’s manager could do without.
So, does he take Di Maria out of the firing line for a brief spell? Is it really much of a gamble when he’s been playing so poorly? And Van Gaal hasn’t exactly shied away from the big decisions so far: replacing the raw and nervy Paddy McNair against Southampton after just 39 minutes regardless of the possible longer-lasting effects, moving Wayne Rooney to a deep midfield role despite the widespread criticism, dropping the high-profile Falcao, even allowing the well-liked Danny Welbeck to move to Arsenal.
Van Gaal has spoken of how Robin van Persie was lucky not to be dropped earlier in the season, adding only a lack of alternatives ensured he kept his place. But in contrast, Van Gaal has a couple of players capable of stepping in to replace Di Maria, including Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj.
Alexis Sanchez is back in the goals at the right time
The Chilean, heralded as such an exciting and exhilarating signing last summer, certainly lived up to the hype…until mid-January when the goals dried up.
Many have speculated that the return of Mesut Ozil has been the main driving-force behind the attacker’s issues and it makes some sense, with Sanchez asked to take on a more orthodox wide position to accommodate the German’s comeback. But he’s also had to contend with a hamstring injury and the inevitability of experiencing a slide, and essentially regressing to the mean after a prolonged period of above-average displays. There’s also the tiredness factor, which Arsene Wenger spoke about earlier this year.
But, he popped up with the all-important second goal against QPR last week and after a difficult recent spell, it will surely spark a return to something resembling his form across September, October and November.
Ashley Young’s renaissance
It’s worth remembering that there was a genuine conversation when Young was tearing it up at Aston Villa that he could play in a central, playmaking role, that he had more to his game than being a conventional winger. That discussion evaporated quickly but what has been striking is how he has taken to life under Louis Van Gaal and shown a willingness to try new things.
On United’s pre-season tour of America, he featured at wing-back and relished the new challenge and as other players have had huge difficulties in adapting to United’s ‘radical’ new formation, Young has impressed. But, as the formation has under-gone countless changes, he’s remained consistent. Against Sunderland, he was United’s main attacking threat and was a constant menace with his (albeit limited) trickery and purpose.
With his team having well-documented issues in the final third, his ability to take a player on and deliver a cross into a dangerous zone has been a welcome relief. And, despite a distinct old-school flavour to his general play, when Young gets on the ball and attacks, the Manchester United supporters respond to such a rare treat. The very fact he’s willing to drive towards the by-line is enough for the frustrated fans to let loose.
He went close to a goal against the Black Cats and was on hand to grab the game-winner against Newcastle. With his performance against Arsenal in 2011 sure to be referenced repeatedly in the build-up, it will only add to his new-found confidence.
Gunners still struggle against rivals
Traditionally, Arsenal have problems in big games. A quick glance at their results this season will tell you that they’ve lost against Chelsea, United, Southampton, Tottenham while they were embarrassed in the first leg of their Champions League knock-out tie with Monaco.
But what’s most frustrating for Gunners’ fans is that it wasn’t that long ago when Santi Cazorla inspired them to a 2-0 victory over reigning league champions Manchester City and it seemed a water-shed moment: when the North Londoners stepped up and delivered when it mattered. Naturally, just a few weeks later came a derby defeat while the awful loss to the French side has cut deep owing to the repercussions.
Before the end of the campaign, Arsenal must face in-form Liverpool, leaders Chelsea while they return to Old Trafford on the penultimate weekend. Again, their season may be determined by how they do against their immediate rivals and as the battle for the Champions League places intensifies, they must go against the script and grind out results in matches that carry the most significance.
More defensive woes for the hosts
With Jonny Evans set for a lengthy spell in the stands, the spotlight will focus on United’s defensive make-up once again.
Though it certainly hasn’t been as chaotic as it was towards the beginning of the season, the team’s rearguard appears to be primed for self-destruction on a regular basis. Evans is certainly not a commanding figure while Chris Smalling seems perpetually at odds with Van Gaal’s aspirations of his defenders striding forward and confidently opening the game up. Instead, there’s a nervousness and skittishness, a fear of being caught out.
With enforced changes to the defence now, there’s the anxiety that will no doubt accompany the alterations. And Arsenal will look to exploit it.
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Alexis Sánchez Analysis Ángel di María Arsene Wenger Ashley Young FA Cup Louis van Gaal Soccer Arsenal Manchester United