Man Utd to put Di Maria on strength and conditioning programme

Manchester United will put Angel Di Maria on a special strength and conditioning programme when he returns from international duty, reports The Times.

United paid a British record fee of £59.7 million (fee via the BBC) to sign Di Maria from Real Madrid last summer, and though he scored three goals and registered 10 assists in the top flight, his overall displays failed to live up to expectations.

The Argentina international completed 45 take ons in the league, but his success rate was 41%, and the club feel that he was too easy to knock off the ball, as per The Times, so they are eager for him to bulk up his physique.

United have put the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra, and David de Gea on special training programmes in the past with successful results, and they will hope that it helps Di Maria to recapture his best form.

The 27-year-old is currently part of Argentina’s squad in the Copa America, and Tata Martino’s side beat Colombia on penalties to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Louis van Gaal’s side finished fourth in the league last term, securing qualification for the Champions League, and they have signed Memphis Depay from PSV so far this summer.