It is to be hoped Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal interrupted his holiday in Portugal to watch some of the Copa America. 

It would have provided him with a clear reminder of why he sanctioned the £59.7 million signing of Angel Di Maria nearly a year ago.

At the tournament in Chile, the Argentinian looked in impressive form as Argentina reached the final before losing to the hosts on Saturday night. 

In their semi-final, Di Maria scored twice and provided an assist to help Argentina overcome Paraguay 6-1 in Concepcion.

Last season, Di Maria was rarely seen at his best at Old Trafford. But in Chile, he played with his usual confidence and the verve and attacking intent that made him one of the world’s leading players.

Inevitably, there has been renewed speculation that Di Maria could be the subject of a bid from either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich this summer.

There might be a temptation from Van Gaal and the Old Trafford board to cash in on Di Maria, get most of their money back and reinvest it in another player during this transfer window. 

But that would be a grand and costly mistake, for Di Maria still has the ability to be United’s most influential and important player next season.

United possess a rare and brilliant talent, who must now be nurtured and given the stage he deserves rather than cast aside after a single season.

Every leading club in Europe is searching for a catalyst, a player who who can inspire others and help to transform their fortunes. 

In Di Maria, United already possess that player, who remains a world-class talent and, aged only 27, is now approaching his peak.

It is true he endured a difficult first season at United, but the Premier League is littered with stories of foreign players who have needed time to settle and of clubs who were rewarded for their patience. 

This summer, Arsenal have celebrated the 20th anniversary of the signing of a Premier League icon, Dennis Bergkamp.

When he first arrived at Highbury, the Dutchman looked a lost soul. Inter Milan looked to be vindicated for their surprising decision to sell him, but his talent was far too great to fester for long, and soon it would emerge to help overhaul Arsenal and deliver seven trophies over the next 11 years.

Today, a statue of Bergkamp stands outside the Emirates Stadium.

Five year later, Arsenal had a similar experience with Robert Pires, who looked off the pace and unsuited to the rigours of English football after signing from Marseille in 2000.  

But Pires led Arsenal to the double of the Premier League title and FA Cup in his second season, and he was voted the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year. 

It would be rash and almost negligent for United to dispense with Di Maria and allow him to take his talents elsewhere.

United have got through the hard part, the settling-in season, the cultural adjustment, and they should now begin to enjoy the benefit.

Amid his underwhelming first season, when United were only treated to a fleeting glimpse of what Di Maria could do, the Argentinian still managed to provide 10 assists, the third most in the Premier League.

There should be excitement at Old Trafford at the prospect of what a settled and content Di Maria could now deliver.

It is true United’s most impressive performances last season came when Di Maria was not actually in the starting lineup.

Last spring, United, set up in a 4-3-3 formation, brushed aside Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City with successive and dominant wins.

Di Maria had to watch from the bench as Ashley Young thrived on the left side of the attacking three.

But Di Maria has too much talent and cost United too much money to simply remain a spectator, and though it might seem harsh, he needs to start the season instead of Young.

As impressive as Young was last season, United still limped to a fourth-place finish. With Di Maria, they have a player who can take them to the summit of the Premier League.

During the ’90s, Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Eric Cantona as his side’s “can-opener.” 

“Of all the many qualities a good team must possess, the supreme essential for me is penetration, and Eric brought the can-opener,” the former United manager said. 

Cantona and Di Maria are different players, but they both have the same ability to provide this penetration and unlock defences for their team-mates with an astute pass or cross.

Di Maria also brings the added advantage of genuine pace and a track record of success in the Champions League.

Two decades on from Cantona’s time in Manchester United’s No. 7 shirt, Di Maria can become Van Gaal’s own can-opener and help transform his United side next season.

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