Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal backs Angel Di Maria to deliver NEXT season

Posted Wednesday, March 04, 2015 by Express.co.uk

LOUIS VAN GAAL admits Manchester United may have to wait until next season to see the best of record-buy Angel Di Maria.

Angel Di Maria has struggled for confidence

After a bright start in English football, the former Real Madrid star’s form has slumped to such an extent that Van Gaal had to haul him off at half-time on Saturday, and could leave him on the bench for tonight’s (Wed) trip to Newcastle.

"The first season is always difficult,” he said. “It is the same for all the players that we have bought – Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Radamel Falcao and also Di Maria.

"It is not a big surprise. It was more of a surprise when he played so well when he first arrived. We have to give him time – not just Di Maria but all the players.

"How long it takes a player to settle is dependant on so many aspects, not just the game but also the culture. The general answer is one year but you can’t give a general answer. It is easy to say that but I cannot prove that scientifically.”

Van Gaal has hit back at criticism he has turned his players into "robots" by over-coaching them to the point where they do not take risks.

Fans vented their frustration at United’s sterile possession game in the first half of Saturday’s win over Sunderland but Van Gaal said: “I respect the personality and identity of every player and will never change that. But they have to fit into the team philosophy and gameplan and then they have to do their job in that gameplan.”

With Robin van Persie ruled out, Wayne Rooney will continue as a striker with Adnan Januzaj set to replace Di Maria.