Van Gaal the 'common denominator' behind poor Di Maria and Falcao performances

Louis van Gaal’s man-management style could be the ‘common denominator’ behind the poor performances of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao this season, according to South American expert Tim Vickery.

Both players were recruited as high profile signings last summer but failed to live up to their lofty expectations, and Falcao was subsequently sent back to parent club Monaco after a disastrous loan spell at Old Trafford.

Di Maria made an electric start to life in Manchester but tailed away dramatically with questions soon arising about his future, and Vickery believes the Red Devils' boss perhaps didn’t do enough to help aid the two players’ assimilation to English football.

''I think maybe we have to point a finger at Louis van Gaal. His track record with South American players isn’t very good,” said Vickery.

''Back in October there were already rumours coming out in Argentine press that he [Di Maria] wasn’t happy and there was something wrong there.

''Sometimes these South American players need a little more of the personal touch. So perhaps that is the common denominator behind the poor performances of both Di Maria and Falcao.”

Di Maria has been linked with a move to French champions PSG, but recently reiterated his desire to remain at Old Trafford to prove his doubters wrong.