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benjasm's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To benjasm's Posts
To benjasm's last 5 banter replies
There is nil chance that Di Maria would be utilised as a RWB. The idea is absurd.
Although I agree with certain posters that ideas of rigid formations are unhelpful in certain circumstances, they are useful in the case of Di Maria to show how he can be a bridge between all stages of transition of Van Gaal's preferred system/s, ie between 3412 and 433, whether in-game or longer term, and the flexibility of the player himself.
Last season Ancelotti utilised Angel Di Maria largely on the left of a midfield three, and very successful it was too, making the most as it did of his energy and incredibly effective vertical movement. This would obviously be an option for United in a nominal 433 or similar with another similarly energetic player (a Hererra or a Vidal) on the other side and a sitting player, a deep-lying playmaker (Carrick, possibly Fletcher) or potentially a more ball winning player (De Jong), in the centre.
I think it's fairly obvious, however, that the current squad weakness that Di Maria would be purchased to address is pace in the final third, where currently Welbeck is the most progressed/consistent of limited options. He is obviously well suited to playing on the left of a front three in a 433, and, although he could play in any of the front three positions, in a 3412 his sheer verticality would mean he would be best utilised in a Robben-like second striker role.
On very rare occasions last season Di Maria was shifted to fill in as a nominal left back in certain stages of play. His tenacity, discipline, pace and energy could make him a surprisingly reliable option as a wingback (although I think, Syd, he is far too left footed to play on the right in anything but an emergency), but I think it unlikely that Van Gaal would view it as his primary or even secondary role, either initially or in the future.
Cheers
B