All stats are courtesy of statistics website Squawka. Learn more about Squawka and the free app by clicking here.
La Liga can count on a whole host of creative talents, yet last season one man stood on top of the pile when it came to assists.
That player who notched 17 assists and created 90 chances (more than any of his team-mates) for Real Madrid is on his way to Manchester United in a mega-money deal but despite his talents, his acquisition is only throwing up more questions than answers.
Just where will Angel Di Maria fit?
Gary Neville mused about the subject on Sky Sports last night and seemed to suggest placing him on the left of a midfield trio:
First of all, what do we know about the player himself? Naturally a winger, the 26-year-old has increasingly developed into an attacking midfielder who positions himself just left of centre.
At Real Madrid, he was one of the key men in the 4-3-3 that led the club to a 10th Champions League final. Stationed on the left of the central trio alongside Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso, his pace and energy provided the link between the attacking three and midfield.
His versatility meant he was also able to get out onto the wing to cover the space when Cristiano Ronaldo cut in from the left.
At the World Cup, he provided a similar function for Argentina in two different formations. In the 5-3-2 that manager Alejandro Sabella used in the first half of Argentina's opener against Bosnia, Di Maria played on the left of that central trio, providing the link between Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero and the rest of the team.
When that formation did not function, Argentina went back to the 4-3-3 that had served them well in qualifying and their run to the final in Brazil.
Di Maria again played that central role but could also be seen often moving into space on the left wing to provide width.
That tells us Di Maria is extremely effective and trusted as a vertical link man on the left of a three-man midfield, shuttling headlong towards the opposition lines.
However, Man United do not play that way at present. Their 3-5-2 currently has two midfielders just behind a No 10 (Juan Mata at present) and if you were to place him in one of the deeper-lying positions, Di Maria's style of play would put too much pressure on his midfield partner who would have too much work to cover the space left behind by the former Benfica winger's forward drives.
As Neville's formation above rightly shows, Di Maria would be best suited to being part of a trio with two midfielders who are happy to sit deeper and orchestrate play.
A 4-3-3 seems to be the formation that brings the best out of him. But one cannot expect Van Gaal to spell a formation change for one player especially as that would have ramifications for the likes of Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata who may be discommoded if they are shunted into wider positions.
But with more arrivals expected in midfield, one would have to reserve judgement until the identity of the new signings are known.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
