Louis van Gaal: Angel di Maria needs a year to adapt to life at Manchester United

Man United boss Louis van Gaal admits Angel Di Maria could take another year to settle

Louis van Gaal claims Angel Di Maria could need a year to settle at Manchester United.

Di Maria has been off form since returning from injury in January and van Gaal took off the British record £59.7million signing at half-time in Saturday's win over Sunderland.

Van Gaal claims all players need time to adjust when they join a new club and says Di Maria can only be properly judged next season.

"I think it counts for all the players that we have bought, the first season is always difficult," said the United boss.

"I have explained that in the press conference after the match. You can see it for every player we have bought, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Radamel Falcao and also Di Maria.

"For me it is not a big surprise. It is more a big surprise when he adapted as quickly as possible. In Holland, Spain and Germany, I had the same experience with players. We have to give him time, not just Di Maria but all the players. We wait and see.

"The general answer is one year, but you can't give a general answer. It is easy to say that, I cannot prove that. It is not scientifically proven."

Van Gaal also claims he is not concerned by United's tough run this month.

United play at Newcastle on Wednesday before facing Arsenal in the FA Cup and then top-four rivals Tottenham and Liverpool before March 22.

Van Gaal claims United came through just as tough period earlier in the season to climb to third in the table.

When asked if he was worried he replied: "No, don't you remember we were 13th and in spite of the tough games we had, we were third. That was on November 22. You remember?"

Van Gaal feels Michael Carrick is not ready to start for United at St James' Park.

Carrick was on the bench on Saturday after recovering from the calf injury, which has kept him out since January, but van Gaal says he needs more time to build up his fitness.

"I think it is too early for Carrick," he said. "He trained three sessions with us I think because of the players I didn't bring with us, he was in the 18.

"As a sub you can play 20 minutes, that he can do. He has the experience, he is also a captain. It is not normal that I do that."

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