Louis van Gaal has thrown doubt over
Angel Di Maria’s future at Manchester United by admitting he is not certain the Argentinian wants to stay at the club and that he may consider selling him if the 27-year-old asks to leave.
Van Gaal hopes British football's most expensive player will continue at Old Trafford but acknowledged Di Maria had not enjoyed a good campaign since signing from Real Madrid for £59.7 million (€80.6 million).
Di Maria has lost his place in the starting XI and has also experienced a troubled time in his private life, his rented property suffering an attempted burglary while he and his family were inside.
Since being sent off against Arsenal on March 9th Di Maria has not started a match as United have turned in some of their finest displays under Van Gaal. “The manager and the club is always dependable on the opinion of the player himself,” the Dutchman said of Di Maria’s future. “The player decides; we shall see what he decides.
Marvellous season
“He cannot say that he has had a marvellous season here. The decision is not only to him because now we have a contract, so we shall speak always with every player, evaluation, as I always do. Then we speak with each other about the future, and that is with every player.”
Di Maria has made 23 starts, scoring four goals, and Van Gaal is hopeful the player's disappointing form may be down to a hangover from Argentina's 2014 World Cup campaign. "I hope. You cannot always say that is the main factor. Of course, it plays a role, and I hope it is that, because then we can have a fantastic season next season. You have to adapt to our philosophy and that is also difficult for him, probably."
Van Gaal is working on the basis of having Di Maria next season. “I am pleased with his attitude, so that is not a problem,” he said. “I think Di Maria shall stay and he is working very hard.”
Expected more
Asked if he expected more from Di Maria, Van Gaal said: “A player has to contribute. What we expected, as a team and as a staff, from each other. Normally Di Maria should have played but the last weeks he doesn’t play any more and the team is winning. Now we are losing, so the chance of him coming back is higher; it is always like that. The issue that he is not always in the line-up is also for him a disappointment, but for me a disappointment.
“I like every player who wants to perform how we want him to perform. He can convince me of the way of playing, or I have to convince him and that is in every club – that is what I have done. I am not a dictator that says: ‘You have to play like that.’ No, you can play.
“But we have team functions and that is obligated to perform. You can play as you want to play but then I have to judge with other players in that position.”
Van Gaal reiterated that this close season will be crucial to United's hopes of challenging for next year's Premier League crown.
“This summer is very important, of course – that I have already said. The balance of the selection and the preparation, but we are very busy with that.” Guardian Service
