Now in retrospect, I think the reason why Angel Di Maria did not work out for Manchester United is not about his lack of talent. Judging from how he opted to end his tenure in Old Trafford, I’d say the failed relationship was more about Angel Di Maria’s inability to be flexible and be adaptable to change.
When he came to Manchester United, I think he has this impression that the then-ill equipped Manchester United will change for him. But that would not be the case. And when it was apparent that it was Di Maria who needs to change in order for him to be functional and productive in Louis van Gaal system, Di Maria instead opted to stay obstinate.
I say this because his exit – and getting out like this – speaks about his character as a player and as an individual with pride. Rio Ferdinand couldn’t have said it any better: “As a professional, I wouldn’t want something like that on my record. If I could rectify it by staying and trying to prove myself, I would have done that.”
And I guess, Di Maria should have tried that. He should have tried rectifying the situation. It is not like Old Trafford wanted to boot him out after a bad first season; on the contrary, it was he who sought exit. It was Di Maria who very easily gave up on trying again for the Red Devils. It was Di Maria who immediately explored options outside of Old Trafford.
That he took the most convenient easy way out when things went tough was the reason why fans would always dislike Di Maria.
Still, I hope that he finds success in his new home, the French side Paris Saint Germain. Will he be able to harmoniously coexist with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the rest of the Parisians? And I hope that for his sake, he tries to make it work this time and not rush towards the exit door when things are not going his way.
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