Could Memphis Depay's Early Man. United Form Spell Trouble For Angel Di Maria?

After impressing in California, could Memphis Depay's early form hasten Angel Di Maria's Manchester United exit? Would United be foolish to part with such talent?

Speculation in several English newspapers over his future has intensified, he is yet to link up with team-mates on their US tour and competition for places in the United side has become even more fierce – Di Maria’s Premier League career could well be over before it has begun.

“When we think we have something then I shall say it, but he shall come here on July 25,” Louis van Gaal said after United’s win, but the questions will keep on coming.

New arrival Depay, a man who has a “special” relationship with Van Gaal, again started for United in their 3-1 victory over San Jose and impressed in a forward role, scoring his first goal for the club.

After becoming the darling of the Bernabeu, following a man-of-the-match performance in the 2014 European Cup final, Di Maria’s arrival at Old Trafford from Real Madrid certainly whetted the appetite of the United faithful.

However, Ashley Young managed to dispose “El Fideo”, and ensured he spent much of his debut season in England on the bench.

Depay’s arrival - and smooth initial transition - could increase the Argentine's difficulties, even though he insists he is keen to stay and fight for his place.

Against the mid-table MLS side in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Depay was not facing the toughest opponent he will encounter this campaign, but he showed glimpses of what Di Maria is capable of.

Running at defenders at pace and cutting inside and shooting on target, with plenty of venom – this is what Old Trafford regulars expected to see from Di Maria throughout 2014/15.

Di Maria is more of a creator, but it is the failure to replicate the dynamism that saw him amass 17 assists and seven goals for Real Madrid as they narrowly missed out on La Liga glory in 2013/14 that is the most frustrating for supporters.

Depay comes to Manchester with a similarly impressive resume, having led the Eredivisie scoring charts last season from a winger/forward position.

The 21-year-old found the net on 22 occasions, dwarfing Di Maria’s meek return of three.

While Di Maria still notched 10 assists, Depay created more chances and gave fans a taster of his vision in California. With better quality team-mates, will his assist tally rise, too?

Depay dropped off Rooney, whom Van Gaal continued to deploy as an out-and-out striker, and tried to create chances for his team-mates. With more match practice and a better understanding, those slightly under-hit passes could well turn into key chances created.

What’s more, while a wasteful Di Maria converted only 7.7 per cent of his efforts at goal as he struggled last year, Depay finished PSV’s title-winning campaign with a much more commendable 16.3 per cent conversion rate.

That coolness in front of goal was exemplified by the composure he showed when intercepting a wayward backpass in the Avaya Stadium and slotting home United’s second.

“I consider myself an attacking player, almost a forward, but I’ve played in different positions and I always felt comfortable,” Di Maria said prior to joining United, but whatever the position deployed, somehow a player with an abundance of ability just didn’t fit.

Van Gaal often speaks of his philosophies and sticks stringently to his systems. Sometimes the best players do not perform under certain managers' styles - it wouldn’t be the first time.

Juan Sebastian Veron arrived in Manchester for a similarly inflated fee to fellow countryman Di Maria, but with Paul Scholes fulfilling the attacking midfield role perfectly, Veron was quickly deemed surplus to requirements.

As much as many of the naysayers try to create a more elaborate tale, Di Maria might just be the wrong man at the wrong time.

Depay seems to be the opposite, and a man who knows Van Gaal’s ruthless ways well.

United will be stronger with Depay and Di Maria in their side but, if their Dutch supremo feels that cutting their losses now may be the best option, we could all be left wondering what might have been for Angel Di Maria in the best league in the world.

Credit: Skysports.com