Ex-Valencia, Spain and Middlesbrough midfielder Gaizka Mendieta believes Angel Di Maria must be given enough time to adapt to his new life at Manchester United.
The 40-year-old was speaking to Newstalk's Oisin Langan at Setanta Sports’ announcement of exclusively live coverage of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League for three years from 2015/’16
"It's a new team, a new club that is itself going through an adaptation and a transformation. For himself, as an individual football player, he's still adapting to the new club. [He needs] time. It's probably the last thing Man United fans want to hear - time," said Mendieta, who also feels constant formation changes may have an effect on players' adaptation progress.
He also gave his take on Louis van Gaal's term in charge at Manchester United, and feels results are more important than style.
As far as the title race is concerned, Mendieta cannot see Chelsea dropping the points that would see them let the Premier League title slip away.
He also mused about the causes of Manchester City's problems this season, and gave his take on their upcoming Champions League opponents Barcelona, who are in improved form.
But he also touched on the reasons why Luis Suarez has made a slow start to life at Barca.
Listen in to the full interview (16 minutes 30 seconds in) below via the podcast:
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