Di Maria's Debut Shows Promise

Although a goalless draw wasn’t the outcome that anyone associated with Manchester United wanted from Saturday's trip to Turf Moor, there were still some positives - the pick being an assured debut from new signing Angel Di Maria.

Slipping seamlessly into Louis van Gaal's side, the tricky Argentinian provided the main threat to Burnley during the first period, stretching them on United's left flank and linking up well with his new team-mates. He created the Reds’ best opportunity of the opening half when he picked out Robin van Persie with an arrowed pass forward, enabling the Dutchman to chest the ball down and fire in a shot which former United goalkeeper Tom Heaton did well to block.

Di Maria again went close to conjuring up a goal in the second half after he bustled past Burnley defender Kieran Trippier before picking out Rooney. Wayne’s teasing cross was collected by Antonio Valencia, who then played in van Persie only for Burnley to clear the danger.

Without doubt the Reds’ most potent threat throughout the game, it was a shame to see the Argentinian depart proceedings with twenty minutes remaining. However, United fans will have been excited by their first glimpses of Di Maria - indeed MUTV pundit and passionate supporter Paddy Crerand was later moved to hail the new no. 7 as "a class act, for every minute he was on the pitch.”

Angel's new manager van Gaal was also happy while acknowledging that, naturally at such an early stage, he didn't showcase all of the quality he so often produced in his days at the Bernabeau.

“Today, we didn’t see the world-class player from Madrid, but you can’t expect that yet,” the boss said at his post-match press conference. “He has to adapt to the English culture and way of playing, but also to his fellow players. That needs time.”

Thankfully time is something that Angel Di Maria still has an abundance of and, at just 26 years old, who knows what he might go on to achieve with United.