Manchester United have received some good news ahead of their clash against Aston Villa as summer signing Angel Di Maria will return to action.
Di Maria has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury suffered in the game against Hull City on 29th November, but could be in line to start the game when Louis van Gaal’s side travel to Villa Park. United have won six games on the trot, but it has masked some of the problems that they are facing in attack. They created very few chances against Southampton and Stoke City but managed to dispatch Liverpool with ease.
The Argentine international’s form has somewhat tailed off before his injury after making a terrific start to his career at Old Trafford, so he’ll want to start afresh again come Saturday. Di Maria was a chief creator for United and with the team winning without his presence, his addition will do nothing but add even more quality to the side.
After signing from Real Madrid for a record £59.7m in the summer, Di Maria has appeared in 11 games so far and has scored three goals. The former Benfica man has created a truckload of chances for his side and has six assists to his name. United’s next fixture against Villa will be a tough game as Paul Lambert’s side defend well and usually play on the counter attack. As a result, Di Maria’s creativity could be key in unlocking Villa’s defence.
His return to fitness will also be helpful in what will be a busy two weeks for United as they play four times in the next 15 days in the League. With the side looking confident, Di Maria could start enjoying his football as he’ll play without the pressure of delivering every time like he used to when United were struggling in the opening few weeks.