Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has gone on the record calling the clubs biggest ever signing a “disappointment.”
Yet despite having a poor season van Gaal feels the Argentinian will be at Old Trafford next season despite talk linking him to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old was Real Madrid’s man of the match when they won the Champions League last year and also helped Argentina to reach the World Cup finals in Brazil before joining the Red Devils in a £59.7 million transfer.
Despite all the previous good form the attacking midfielder has only found the back of the net three times, which has van Gaal admitting he is not happy with what Di Maria has contributed to the team.
“He cannot say that he has had a marvellous season here,” Van Gaal said.
“Normally Di Maria should have played, but the last weeks he doesn’t play anymore and the team is winning. Now, we are losing, so the chance of him coming back is higher. It is always like that. It is never that it is not like that.
“The issue that he is not always in the line-up is for him a disappointment, but also for me a disappointment.”
The former Dutch national team boss also admitted that unlike last summer when players were away for the World Cup there is no guarantee that a summer off will produce better results next season.
“I hope,” Van Gaal said with a chuckle when asked if the World Cup was the reason behind Di Maria’s poor form.
“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. Normally he shall have a fantastic season – I believe in that.”
When asked about Di Maria’s future?
“I think Di Maria shall stay,” the United manager said. “He is working hard. I am pleased with his attitude, so that is not a problem.
“The manager and the club is always dependable on the opinion of the player himself. The player decides. We shall see what he decides.
“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.”
