Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Louis van Gaal defends Angel Di Maria over poor form at Man Utd

Louis van Gaal has come to the defence of Angel Di Maria after the midfielder's Manchester United career reached a new low when he was taken off at half-time in Saturday's 2-0 win over Sunderland.

Di Maria is the most expensive player in the history of British football but the 59.7 million-pound record signing has lost form after a bright start to his time at Old Trafford.

But Van Gaal believes the former Real Madrid midfielder has the quality to bounce back and believes he could be a world-beater when United face Newcastle on Wednesday.

"Every player can have that kind of match -- Di Maria is not the only player who has suffered a bad day," Van Gaal said in a news conference. "He can be the best player in the world in the next match so I think everything is going well. He has trained very well and I don't think there is any problem."

Van Gaal believes Di Maria's difficulties have come as a result of moving to a new country and adjusting to a league with a different tempo after his successful spell at Real Madrid.

"I have already explained that the higher rhythm of the Premier League is one of the most important aspects," added the Dutchman. "But he also has to adapt to a new culture, new environment and that is not always easy."

Van Gaal made six signings last summer, with only Southampton left-back Luke Shaw coming from an English club.

Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera, Radamel Falcao and Di Maria came from foreign clubs and Van Gaal said it will take them all time to adapt.

"It counts for all the players we have bought, the first season is always difficult," he added.

"I explained that after the match. You can see it with every player we bought: Shaw, Blind, Herrera, Falcao and also Di Maria. For me it is not a big surprise; it is more a big surprise [if] he [had] adapted quickly.

"In the Netherlands, Spain and Germany I had the same experience with players. We have to give him time as I've already said, not just for him but all the other players. We shall wait and see."

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