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- Angel Di Maria is fighting history at Manchester United
Angel Di Maria will be battling recent history to turn his Manchester United nightmare into a memorable Old Trafford stay. The Argentine has nailed his colours to the Reds mast stating his intention to return to Manchester after his Copa America duty and holiday and ‘do my best there.’ Di Maria’s ‘best’ is worth waiting for. But United have a history of not waiting very long, and neither can they afford to, even if they’ve lavished record amounts on marquee signings. If you don’t hit the ground running as a Reds new boys you are often toast. You might still have the sympathy from an understanding and knowledgeable audience at Old Trafford but ultimately a tough debut campaign can spell disaster for your long term hopes. Thankfully for many newcomers to United in the Premier League era they’ve installed themselves quickly as vital components.From Eric Cantona, to Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney the big names have mostly cracked it from the outset. The ones who haven’t managed to make an instant impact have found it a struggle and ultimately a battle they weer unable to win. Di Maria’s fellow Argentine £29m Juan Veron is the classic example in 2001. A breath taking midfield talent who was too often like a fish out of water at Old Trafford and in the Premier League after arriving from Lazio for a club record fee. He lasted two disappointing seasons. Dimitar Berbatov was class but his laid back style wasn’t an instant vote winner. Despite two hat tricks, one against Liverpool, and a five-goal showing against Blackburn Rovers in his second season he never fully established himself and his Old Trafford career petered out after being overlooked for the 2011 Champions League final.Karel Poborksy and Kleberson were not quite in the same expensive transfer fee sphere as Veron and Berbatov but they were bought by Sir Alex Ferguson on the back of impressive Euro and World Cup finals displays but disappointed hugely at United. Neither reached the 50-league game landmark for the Reds. It is rare for a player to struggle in his Old Trafford debut campaign but turn it around. Teddy Sheringham and Patrice Evra are two examples who come to mind. This time 12 months ago Di Maria was basking in the glory being the Man of the Match in the 2014 Champions League final for Real Madrid. After seeing glimpses of the South American’s true ability it is to be hoped the transfer history maker can re-write history again.