Player of the Week - Angel Di Maria
Player of the Week - Angel Di Maria
Record Breaker!
In August 2014, Manchester United signed Argentinian international, Angel Di Maria, for a record Premier League transfer fee of £59.7 million (€75 million or $97 million) from Spanish team Real Madrid. The transfer fee was also the 5th highest in football history.Di Maria is the second Argentinian to sign for Man Utd this summer, they have also signed the defender, Marcos Rojo, from Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. Di Maria is in good form at the moment. On his home debut he scored 1 and was involved in 3 other goals in a 4-0 win against QPR. A week earlier he had scored 1 and provided the assist for another 3 goals to help Argentina beat Germany 4-2 in an international friendly. The result was a small consolation for Argentina after losing the World Cup Final to the Germans only a few months ago. Di Maria missed the World Cup Final because of injury - maybe he would have made a big difference?
What do we know about Di Maria?
Di Maria was born in February 1988 in Rosario, the 3rd biggest city in Argentina, about 300 kilometres northwest of the capital, Buenos Aires. He is from a very poor family and when he was a child he often worked at a coal yard with his parents and two sisters. His parents often found it difficult to buy Di Maria football boots, but they always believed in him. When he was only 6 years old, he was discovered by scouts at Rosario Central and they paid 35 footballs to a local side which Di Maria was already playing for. He is worth a little more than that these days!
"When I played for Rosario Central it took 30 minutes to get to the training ground. My mother took me by bike, I'd sit on the back and my younger sister would sit on a seat on the handlebars. It was hard during winter. Can you believe we did this for 7 years?" Angel Di Maria
How has Di Maria's career progressed?
After spending over 12 years at Rosario Central, Di Maria was discovered by Portuguese club Benfica, while playing for Argentina at the under-20 World Cup in Canada. Di Maria played for the Portuguese club for 3 seasons and helped them win 2 cups and 1 Portuguese League title. In July 2010 he moved to Real Madrid in Spain. He was also successful at Madrid, and helped them win 4 cup competitions, the Spanish league title and last season's Champions League. In the Champions League Final, Di Maria was Man of the Match, which was presented by ex-Manchester Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Angel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent." Louis van Gaal
Where will Di Maria play?
Di Maria can play as an attacking midfielder or as a winger and there has been lots of speculation about where his best position for Man Utd will be. The position he played most often at Real Madrid was a winger, but the Utd manager prefers to play with 3 central defenders and 2 wing-backs. Does this mean that Di Maria will play as a wing-back? He will have more defensive responsibilities in this position, but is a player who has lots of energy and stamina.
"Players often ask me where I get the strength to run so much. I have always been the same, it's just the way I am. I never stop running." Angel Di Maria
Alternatively, Di Maria might play as an attacking midfielder. At Real Madrid, Di Maria was often used behind the front 3 players and this could be his best position because he is quick and will add more pace to the United midfield. We could also see him in a number 10 position as a playmaker. We will have to wait and see!
Who else has worn the number 7 shirt at Man Utd?
Di Maria has been given the prestigious number 7 shirt at Manchester United. The Man Utd players that have worn number 7 include some of the best players to have played for the club. These players are not only great players but are players that will be remembered by Man Utd fans forever. Angel Di Maria joins a group of very famous players, from possibly Britain's best ever player (George Best) to Di Maria's teammate of the last few seasons (Cristiano Ronaldo). In a few years, will Di Maria be remembered in the same way?
George Best
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Bryan Robson
|
Eric Cantona
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David Beckham
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
|
Angel Di Maria
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"I am very happy to be joining Manchester United. I have enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for." Angel Di Maria
Watch a video about Angel Di Maria and his career so far on Man Utd's official website.
What did you understand?
Did you know......?
- When Di Maria was only 1 year old, he fell down a well and had to be rescued by his family.
- Di Maria won a gold medal with the Argentinian football team at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
- Di Maria's nickname is noodle, which is a type of pasta often used in Chinese cooking.
- Angel Di Maria became the 4th Argentinian to play for Man Utd after Juan Sebastian Veron, Gabriel Heinze and Carlos Tevez.
- Di Maria missed the World Cup Final in Brazil because of a thigh injury.
Quiz
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What do you think?
Will Di Maria be a success at Manchester United?
What position do you think he will play?
Who do you think is the best ever Man Utd number 7?
Leave a message in the comments section below and tell us what you think.
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Comentários
15/12/2022
points
Sentence
There is no doubt he'll add more pace to win (4x4) relay race. It's worth to give him more chance than this.
Note
Hi Jack, transfer fees aren't given with exact figures in the lessons. Aren't they open to public? According to the tax regulations they have to be reported by the exact figures. Bye.
15/12/2022 17:08
Tottenham Hotspur
5557
Sentence
There is no doubt he'll add more pace to win (4x4) relay race. It's worth to give him more chance than this.
Note
Hi Jack, transfer fees aren't given with exact figures in the lessons. Aren't they open to public? According to the tax regulations they have to be reported by the exact figures. Bye.
16/12/2022
points
Hi Hsn
This is a very old article. I'm not sure where the transfer information came from. I think that sometimes players transfer for an 'undisclosed' fee, but I think the clubs do have to report it later.
Thanks
Jack
16/12/2022 11:04
Arsenal
22
Hi Hsn
This is a very old article. I'm not sure where the transfer information came from. I think that sometimes players transfer for an 'undisclosed' fee, but I think the clubs do have to report it later.
Thanks
Jack
09/06/2021
points
He wasn't that succesfull as he was at Real Madrid, playing more often as a winger. The best ever Man Utd number 7 was Cristiano Ronaldo.
09/06/2021 22:03
Arsenal
1512
He wasn't that succesfull as he was at Real Madrid, playing more often as a winger. The best ever Man Utd number 7 was Cristiano Ronaldo.
20/06/2020
points
The best ever Man United number 7 is David Beckham from my point of view.
20/06/2020 21:56
Manchester United
6539
The best ever Man United number 7 is David Beckham from my point of view.
20/06/2020
points
Argentinian players are often unsuccessful at Man United except for Juan Sebestian Veron.
20/06/2020 21:56
Manchester United
6539
Argentinian players are often unsuccessful at Man United except for Juan Sebestian Veron.
26/08/2019
points
i have done it
26/08/2019 12:25
Manchester City
1734
i have done it
23/11/2017
points
I think the best ever Man Utd is Cantona. :)
23/11/2017 13:14
Manchester United
180
I think the best ever Man Utd is Cantona. :)
25/06/2016
points
He would have been fine playing on the right wing side of the attack
25/06/2016 06:30
Manchester United
4779
He would have been fine playing on the right wing side of the attack
25/06/2016
points
Most of the 7 shirted players are exceptionally good
25/06/2016 06:23
Manchester United
4779
Most of the 7 shirted players are exceptionally good
25/06/2016
points
It's sad he had to leave united after having a good start and a dwindling performance later
25/06/2016 06:22
Manchester United
4779
It's sad he had to leave united after having a good start and a dwindling performance later
26/03/2016
points
I think the best ever Man Utd number 7 is Cristiano Ronaldo.
26/03/2016 04:50
Leicester City
1761
I think the best ever Man Utd number 7 is Cristiano Ronaldo.
26/03/2016
points
I think he must play in left-wing.
26/03/2016 04:49
Leicester City
1761
I think he must play in left-wing.
26/03/2016
points
There are lots of differences between the Premier League and The Liga BBVA
26/03/2016 04:49
Leicester City
1761
There are lots of differences between the Premier League and The Liga BBVA
26/03/2016
points
I am not sure whether he will be succesfull or not.
26/03/2016 04:47
Leicester City
1761
I am not sure whether he will be succesfull or not.
23/02/2016
points
Best.
23/02/2016 15:41
Liverpool
3705
Best.
23/02/2016
points
He is going to play as a winger.
23/02/2016 15:40
Liverpool
3705
He is going to play as a winger.
23/02/2016
points
No he will not.
23/02/2016 15:40
Liverpool
3705
No he will not.
16/12/2015
points
We shall see how Di Maria will perform against Chelsea in the ECL plays-off. Definitely worth watching
16/12/2015 14:56
Arsenal
2453
We shall see how Di Maria will perform against Chelsea in the ECL plays-off. Definitely worth watching
03/12/2015
points
I was surprised when he move to PSG, he's a good player
03/12/2015 13:45
Arsenal
2320
I was surprised when he move to PSG, he's a good player
04/12/2015
points
PSG is now collecting star players. There are rumours about Ronaldo moving to Paris)
04/12/2015 17:24
Arsenal
2453
PSG is now collecting star players. There are rumours about Ronaldo moving to Paris)
29/11/2015
points
Best ever? George Best.
29/11/2015 10:11
Arsenal
3557
Best ever? George Best.
17/11/2015
points
I think he failed to live up to the expectations of Man Utd fans(
17/11/2015 13:41
Arsenal
2453
I think he failed to live up to the expectations of Man Utd fans(
03/12/2015
points
One season was not enough to show his talent. His move to PSG was more quick
03/12/2015 13:47
Arsenal
2320
One season was not enough to show his talent. His move to PSG was more quick
02/11/2015
points
He is overpayed. Good player, but that's too much money.
02/11/2015 19:37
Arsenal
3557
He is overpayed. Good player, but that's too much money.
26/10/2015
points
Very history gigling, Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!
26/10/2015 17:19
Chelsea
1339
Very history gigling, Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!
23/12/2014
points
Di Maria was played for Benfica, not for Sporting Lisbon. Anyway, great text for great player.
23/12/2014 14:56
West Ham United
538
Di Maria was played for Benfica, not for Sporting Lisbon. Anyway, great text for great player.
03/12/2015
points
That's true
03/12/2015 13:51
Arsenal
2320
That's true
23/12/2014
points
You're right Rema, thanks. I think I probably got confused between Rojo and Di Maria when I was checking their previous clubs. Cheers!
23/12/2014 19:49
Liverpool
594
You're right Rema, thanks. I think I probably got confused between Rojo and Di Maria when I was checking their previous clubs. Cheers!
16/09/2014
points
He will be successful at manchester United. I think LVG should play him as Atacking Midfielder or Right Winger. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best ever number 7 of Manchester United .
16/09/2014 18:56
Manchester United
0
He will be successful at manchester United. I think LVG should play him as Atacking Midfielder or Right Winger. Cristiano Ronaldo is the best ever number 7 of Manchester United .
03/12/2015
points
You're right dear, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best
03/12/2015 13:50
Arsenal
2320
You're right dear, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best
15/09/2014
points
He had a great start this weekend against QPR.
15/09/2014 08:49
Arsenal
560
He had a great start this weekend against QPR.
13/09/2014
points
bueno
13/09/2014 03:42
Manchester City
0
bueno