http://www.espnfc.us/copa-america-t...91/angel-di-maria-finds-groove-with-argentina
Some Argentine media,
such as La Nacion, have even reported that there is considerable irritation among Martino's staff at how Louis van Gaal has treated Di Maria, and with the limited way in which he has been used. They reportedly believe the United boss has "ruined" the record signing, and taken away "his football rhythm". It is also alleged by La Nacion that Di Maria barely has a relationship with Van Gaal, and would favour a move away from Old Trafford this summer -- preferably to Barcelona or Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich, and Manchester City have even been mentioned.
If that is true, Di Maria's upturn in performance may not mean all that much to United, given that he will be returning to a different football system and environment. Part of his return to form has been that he is not in such a constricted role. Di Maria has been allowed to run into space again in a way that is so rarely seen at Old Trafford, as he has gradually realised the requirements of Martino's role.
Of course, his drop-off was not all down to Van Gaal either. Di Maria has often looked disinterested himself, but as is often overlooked in such cases, there's also the reality that Di Maria is a young man adjusting to a totally different culture and climate. That takes time, and will inevitably affect a player's mood before his football, even without something as traumatic as the
break-in he endured in February.
Back in the national team environment in which he is so comfortable, Di Maria has clearly recovered his confidence. He is enjoying himself again, sharing many jokes with Messi and Ever Banega. He was also conspicuously excitable and full of life when speaking to ESPN FC and other media in the mixed zone after the Paraguay game. He was back in the groove, as he pretty much admitted when talking about the change in his form and his first goals of the Copa. "I kept doing things well for the team, working physically, working defensively but missing something in attack," Di Maria said. "I'm happy because things came off well today, especially before the final."
