Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has spoken on why he feels Angel Di Maria failed during his time at the club.
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs was appearing on ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand‘s podcast, with the two discussing a variety of topics, including the form of Alejandro Garnacho, the best midfielders in the Premier League and how Giggs would fix United.
They also spoke about the highs and lows of Giggs’ managerial career which centred around United and Wales, the only teams he ever played for.
During the two’s discussion, they spoke about United stars of the years gone by, with one man mentioned being Angel Di Maria, who failed to flourish during his short time at the club.
This led on to the two comparing the Argentinian to a current Man City player, who they believe have what it takes to be a United star, as well as offering reasons why Di Maria didn’t succeed at the club.
Di Maria was misused by Van Gaal
Giggs was assistant manager when Louis Van Gaal was in charge, and mentioned why the Dutchman may not have utilised Di Maria correctly.
He says: “Recognising a United player, Louis [van Gaal] perhaps didn’t get that with certain players who were good players.
“Di Maria was a United player, I felt, but at the time we played a diamond, so he played on the left of a diamond, or we played three at the back with two up front, and he played ten.
“So he never really played his where we sort of scouted him, off the right for Madrid or, now and again, off the left. He never really played that position, but he was a United player.”
Giggs also thinks Grealish suits United
Following the pair’s discussion on Di Maria, Manchester City star Jack Grealish drew comparison to the former Real Madrid man, who Giggs also suggested was perfect for the club.
“I loved him,” Ferdinand said, before Giggs added: “It’s like [Jack] Grealish. Grealish was a United player.”
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” Ferdinand responded. “He’s got the- [he] wants it.”
Grealish has been having a tough time of late, achieving only one goal and one assist in the Premier League this season. Maybe a change of clubs is exactly what he needs to rejuvenate his form on the pitch.
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