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If Manchester United’s FA Cup defeat at the hands of Arsenal last night highlighted one thing, and one thing only – it was that Angel Di Maria’s Old Trafford career is seemingly not going to plan. After making a name for himself as one of the most effective stars at the Bernabeu last season, the 27-year-old Argentinean simply hasn’t been able to transfer that form into the Premier League, in spite of the obvious hype that initially came with his high-profile signing.

Although he cost Louis van Gaal in the region of £59million this summer – easily becoming the most expensive Premier League player to date – the former Real Madrid man has only managed a grand total of four goals this season – looking nowhere near worthy of such a hefty pricetag in the process.

In light of such a troublesome time for the current Old Trafford man, just what has been the cause of Angel Di Maria’s fall from grace at Manchester United – and perhaps more subtly – is the tricky Argentine winger even the one to blame for such a disappointing turn of events?

First things first, the former Benfica and Real Madrid star has hardly done himself any favours with his recent sending off against the Gunners in the FA Cup. Diving and pulling on the ref’s shirt isn’t something you would expect from a player said to be worth close to £60m. In accordance with the other high profile spending carried out in Europe this summer, Manchester United could have theoretically bought themselves three Toni Kroos’ for the same amount they spent on Di Maria – with the German international signing at the Bernabeu for around £20m at the beginning of the season.

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The out-of-form Argentinean’s senseless behaviour has hardly endeared him any further to the Old Trafford faithful, who must surely now be getting tired of his inefficient lacklustre displays. The ex-La Liga star has simply failed to utilise his dangerous pace effectively enough this season, he has lacked the same commitment and passion that took him so far throughout the course of 2013/14 – and while the pricy wide-man has in-fact shown glimpses of his touted world class talent every now and then this season – his overall contribution for Louis van Gaal has simply not been good enough.

Having said all of that however, perhaps Manchester United’s newly appointed Dutch boss may actually be the man to blame throughout this whole debacle. Last season Angel Di Maria was deployed as an out-in-out winger. He seemingly thrived off playing with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who would offer the wide-man the chance to get involved when they were playing at the top of Real Madrid’s attack. Nowadays though, van Gaal has chopped and changed Di Maria’s position, raising doubts as to whether or not he knows how best to deploy the United’s expensive summer acquisition.

The supposed winger has of course been played out on the flanks across this campaign, but sometimes Di Maria has seemingly been playing as a hybrid striker as well as a deeper lying midfielder. Such inconsistency has hardly paid off for the Red Devils this season – regardless of who is ultimately to blame.

With the marquee signing reportedly being the victim of an attempted break-in at his new place in Manchester, and his family subsequently feeling the strain of such a testing ordeal, it is believed that Angel Di Maria simply won’t be sticking around in the Premier League for much longer.

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As PSG are supposedly willing to give the former Madrid man another crack at the whip with another of Europe’s top clubs however, perhaps Manchester United’s once dream signing seems to have ultimately backfired – and backfired with real drama at that.

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Arsenal’s recent defeat in the north London derby to local rivals Tottenham has widely been hailed as the moment there was a change in the balance of power between the two clubs for the first time in nearly two decades, but are Arsene Wenger’s side suffering from a lack of belief more than anything else?

The biggest single factor to back up that point is the club’s record against the top four this season, otherwise known as their nearest rivals, which reads played seven, won one, drawn one and lost five. When you factor in that against better quality opposition in the Champions League this term, in games against Bayern Munich and Schalke, where they have drawn one and lost two, and it’s clear to see why they are finding it so difficult to bridge the gap between them and the level where they need to reach. They simply seem as if they are going into games of importance now resigned to their fate.

Far too many key players are not enjoying their finest seasons at the club, with Wojciech Szczesny doing little to dispel the notion that he’s the Emperor’s New Clothes and has only benefited from being compared to Manuel Almunia, while captain Thomas Vermaelen, centre-back Lauren Koscielny and the likes of Bacary Sagna and Aaron Ramsey have all fallen well below what’s expected of them on a consistent basis.

Against both Bayern and Tottenham, the side dominated possession, but seemed to lack that crucial belief to really take the game to the opposition when the scores were level and they only started playing against Chelsea in their defeat at Stamford Bridge after the break when the score was already at 2-0, therefore leaving themselves too much to do.

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A truly telling statistic is that of the club’s 14 games they have played since the turn of the year in 2013, they’ve gone behind in nine of them, five of those by two goals. In the five games where they have taken the lead first, they have gone on to win. Confidence is so fragile that it seems to often hinder on the first goal, which is not the hallmark of a side capable of challenging for a top four spot, let alone honours.

Looking around the squad, it looks woefully short on leaders, with only really the young Jack Wilshere standing up to be counted in any sort of way this campaign. Mikel Arteta is a quietly assured figure that leads by example, while Per Mertesacker commands respect for his international achievements with Germany, just like Lukas Podolski, but neither appear to have the authority of the dressing room.

Appointing Vermaelen as captain has proved to be a fatal error of judgement, though, considering that is has had an overwhelmingly negative effect on his form and looks more than anything to be like an albatross around his neck, weighing him down. Replacing Robin van Persie was always going to be a difficult task, simply because symbolically, he was the team’s go-to leader to make things happen when everything wasn’t going according to plan, and they’ve not only missed his goals, but the comfort his presence provided the rest of the side with.

Similarly to the William Gallas appointment, Vermaelen could well be stripped of the honour at the end of the campaign, with Wilshere the obvious favourite for the role, because it’s got to the stage where only the captaincy is keeping his place in the side as opposed to his performances meriting continued selection.

Blame for the team’s lack of spirit and belief in their goals ultimately rests on the manager, though, and once against Wenger is culpable for assembling such a weak-willed squad. His usual rhetoric based around the team’s mental strength is little more than hot air and a concerted PR effort to try and change minds despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to the contrary.

His refusal to adjust his methods and the team’s style of play, no matter what the opposition or context and importance of the fixture, is tantamount to gross negligence. Every manager has to adjust their side for certain fixtures, with only really Barcelona capable of impressing their style quite so forcefully; Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid are far more pragmatic and therefore successful. They will compromise their principles if it means winning, whereas Wenger will not.

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It’s not only that the side clearly doesn’t have belief in themselves or one another at the moment, but they have walked that well-worn path in big games far too often; dominate possession, fail to create or finish off clear-cut chances and then let a defensive error go punished at their end resulting in a sloppy goal. You can almost see their heads drop when they go behind now, with the knowledge that past scars have seen them incapable of turning round such a deficit. That points to a lack of belief in Wenger’s methods.

Arsenal’s performances this past month or so, which have seen them crash out of the FA Cup and all but certain to be dumped out of Europe, have been hailed as a ‘crisis’ the sort of which Wenger has never known at the club. Nevertheless, with a favourable run-in, they are still capable of pinching top four football, but the underlying issues within the squad go far deeper than just a poor run of form and they look ingrained in the squad’s psyche. Changing attitudes and the culture of the entire club is not small feat and it could take a slice of cut-throat and extensive surgery to turn their fortunes around in the long-term.

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Arsenal took a massive step towards the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night with a 4-1 demolition of CSKA Moscow at the Emirates.

The first leg of their clash against the Russians promised to be a tricky affair but the Gunners were superb across the 90 minutes, despite seeing their visitors equalise after 15 minutes to cancel out Aaron Ramsey’s opener.

An Alexandre Lacazette double and another Ramsey effort were enough to see Arsene Wenger’s side rush to a commanding lead at half-time and there was little drama in the second half to threaten their hefty aggregate lead.

Fans were delighted with the performance and singled out Alexandre Lacazette for particular praise after he started for the first time since January.

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The Frenchman looked back at his best, scoring his second and third goal in two matches and giving Wenger a selection headache in attack.

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Will he be the man that inspires Arsenal to Europa League glory?

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…

Football as a sport has simply come on leaps and bounds since its initial conception and the birth of England’s competitive leagues. From traditional brown leather balls and long shorts that went down past the knee, to modern day rabona flicks and ‘selfie’ inspired goal celebrations, football has simply been there and done it all. It’s winding evolution has led the sport to become the most watched across the world, and with such obscene amounts of money casually drifting between different hands behind the scenes of the game, football is now bigger than it ever has been.

Whilst such investment has obviously propelled the beautiful game to a whole new height, the impact companies such as Sky have on the sport aren’t quite as cut and dry as they may seem.

Yes – the intense hype created by TV firms certainly adds to the excitement of it all, ‘Super Sundays’ remain a must watch for all die-hard fans of the sport, and many people wouldn’t know how to spend their transfer deadline day if it wasn’t for Sky Sports News freshly delivering all the ill-fated rumours, but most of the time, these bonuses only really deliver on paper.

On many occasions throughout the season, hotly anticipated Super Sunday games often don’t match the hype that they are billed with, transfer deadline days can turn out to be much ado about nothing (see this season’s January window as a clear example), and the whole trend of foreign investment created in this new footballing era has done very little for the progress of home-grown players and the England national team.

Within such a debate, do Sky deserve credit for lifting football to the lofty heights it enjoys today, or has the TV age seemingly killed the local glory of Premier League football, in order for big teams with big names to compete intercontinentally in the Champions League?

Whether you are in favour for TV companies such as Sky continuing their business or not, the money they have injected into the Premier League has been nothing short of staggering. Although the investment is not always directly produced by Rupert Murdoch’s famed company, the impact of widespread global television coverage has given English teams over to a wider audience, created a source of income that is not necessarily form related, and turned once small scale English clubs into worldwide brands and institutions.

The signing of players from the far east, predominantly for marketing reasons, has been just one of the many examples to arrive since the TV era in football, which has turned the game from a weekend hobby into a strict 24/7 business. Foreign faces and exotic stars simply go a long way in pushing the hype of the Premier League. They certainly create more interest in English clubs across the board, but as their arrivals must come at a sacrifice, many would be home-grown talents are finding their first team opportunities increasingly rare as a result of the trend.

Whilst every league in Europe flirts with foreign stars to a great extent, the Premier League in particular goes the furthest, with the Bundelsiga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 systems all seemingly less keen to oust their own nation’s respective stars in return for commercial friendly foreigners.

Such money may be beneficial for broadcasters, media and chairmen throughout the leagues, but it’s the supporters who seemingly have to pay the greatest price. England again lead the way in ripping off the fans at the bottom rung of the ladder, charging crazy amounts to see Premier League ‘stars’, and miserably falling behind its counterparts in the rest of Europe in terms of supporter’s rights.

That simply seems to be the way things have gone, however. Although many tweaks can be made in regards to how the game is run, both politically and publicly, today’s footballing world seems not only in favour of Sky’s contribution, but heavily reliant upon it as well. The company have become too powerful to simply knock down a peg or two.

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Seeing as the rise of internet streaming and the downloading of matches has also become increasingly popular in recent years, perhaps Sky’s days at the top are ultimately numbered and their influence will not last forever. Their impact remains powerful nonetheless, and by the time the famed company finally loosen their grip on Premier League football, hopefully it will still all be about the game itself, and not just about the money and false hype that has jumped on for the ride.

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The infuriating proficiency of Robin van Persie may have denied Joe Cole a fairytale start to his second coming, but early indications suggest this could prove an inspired reconciliation. The 31-year-old huffed and puffed his way through a debut that lasted 78 minutes and delivered two beautifully crafted deliveries that allowed James Collins to atone for his error in the recent defeat at Reading.

The former England midfielder will need to inject each performance with the same desire and tenacity if his return is to be dubbed a success, but he can certainly provide the creative spark needed to move Big Sam’s well-oiled machine up a gear. Cole lapped up his warm welcome and played with a smile that we haven’t seen since his time at Stamford Bridge. With this in mind, should more players seek out a sentimental return in order to resurrect their career?

West Ham have undoubtedly provided the foundation for a number of players to build promising careers. Two of which, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand, look increasingly likely to end their spell at the summit of the Premier League sooner rather than later. Is it ludicrous to suggest that they too could retrace their steps to the Academy of Football? Neither player will be short of offers, but the Hammers may find themselves in the best position to offer both financial security and regular minutes on the pitch.

If we turn our attention back to the current playing squad, will Andy Carroll find himself fantasying about a return to Tyneside, now Chelsea have finally activated Demba Ba’s release clause? The 24-year-old has showcased glimpses of his capability to terrorise defenders but injuries have prevented him from rediscovering the form he displayed as the Magpies’ boisterous number 9.

Elsewhere in the league, there are a number of Championship graduates who have fallen foul of making the step up far too soon. Connor Wickham has made just 25 appearances – 18 of which have come from the bench – since his high profile move to Sunderland two years ago. Surely a six-month stint back in Ipswich would help revive his depleted confidence levels and help ensure the Tractor Boys steer clear of a relegation battle.

Likewise, Aaron Ramsey may have just secured a long-term contract at Arsenal, but his performances this season portray a player struggling to fulfil his potential. The former Welsh captain has perhaps become the victim of his own impressive versatility, with Wenger ushering him out on the wing to accommodate the return of Jack Wilshere. Considering Cardiff are flying high at the moment, a stint in Wales should offer the perfect environment to alleviate the pressure from his young shoulders.

It’s not just the British who can feel homesick. Perhaps the cure for the ailments hampering Fernando Torres isn’t the wise words of Rafael Benitez but a return to Atletico Madrid. Despite Roman Abramovich’s obvious affection towards his blonde bombshell, even he must be considering using the Spaniard as a means of extracting Falcao from the clutches of Diego Simeone. Torres may not want to admit it, but his newfound lack of pace would perhaps go unnoticed within the subdued nature of La Liga.

The history books are littered with stories of successful homecomings. After Ian Rush was lured to Serie A by the Old Lady, he quickly realised that life in Italy was “like living in a foreign country.” Liverpool swiftly answered his confused cry for help and re-signed the moustached magician a year later, where he would spend another eight successful years at Anfield.

Mark Hughes spent two years away from Manchester United in the mid-eighties in what must have felt like a disappointing backpacking holiday. After an unsuccessful spell under Terry Venables at Barcelona, Hughes was sent on loan to Bayern Munich before returning to Ferguson’s warm embrace, where he would enjoy seven more years of unrivalled success.

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I don’t begrudge players that move for money or a shot at the big time, who among would turn down the opportunity of a lifetime? However, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that even the best players are struggling to cope with their inflated price tags and the level of expectation that engulfs the modern game.

More and more players are beginning to understand that you can’t put a price on the reality of actually enjoying your football. It may not be pretty and the chances of silverware may turn to dust but sometimes a passionate chant from ‘your own’ supporters is all that is needed to perform at your best. I would argue that even in the world of sport, there’s no place like home.

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Newcastle fans don’t need much reason to criticise Mike Ashley, and the latest reports about their owner have left fans fuming on Twitter.

According to the Chronicle, Newcastle’s ownership was annoyed about having to pay £15,000 to ship the team to Spain last week, and fans are worried about what that means for their summer business.

St. James’ Park has been slightly happier in recent weeks. January signing Martin Dubravka seems like he was heaven sent, and wins over Manchester United and Southampton have put the club in a great position going into the massive six-pointer against Huddersfield later this month.

Still, if there’s one thing that Newcastle fans always agree on, it’s their opinion of owner Mike Ashley.

Manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly made it perfectly clear what he wants and needs this summer, but let’s just say fans aren’t particularly optimistic it will happen.

“We have to change things,” Benitez told The Times.

“The way Newcastle were doing things before I arrived doesn’t mean they were right, because they were going down. Now we have had the chance to go up we cannot make the same mistakes again.”

Benitez will be delighted with Dubravka’s form since joining, but January signing Islam Slimani is yet to kick a ball for the club.

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The report from the Chronicle claims the Newcastle ownership were unhappy with the side’s trip to a training camp in Spain last week because the flight cost £15,000. To Benitez, £15,000 is trivial considering what’s at stake in the fight for Premier League survival.

Newcastle fans have been having their say on Twitter, and some of the best reactions can be found below…

After a difficult start to the season, things are starting to look up at Celtic Park. Manager Ronny Delia seems to have settled on his best XI, and the club’s spot at the top of the league is once again intact after talk of a ‘worst season ever’ earlier this term.

Even though the mood is positive right now in the green and white half of Glasgow, January presents an interesting opportunity for the Hoops, who may be able to push on with a few wise additions and sales. With that in mind, here are three to be signed, and three to be axed…

In – John Guidetti

On loan from Manchester City, Guidetti has really impressed so far this season. The Swede has endured a few years of injury woes, but with regular playing time in Glasgow he’s already smashed ten goals in all competitions, which has led to transfer talk. The Bhoys are desperate to keep the 22-year-old, with a £3m January offer having been mooted even though the Scandinavian will be available for nothing in just about six months’ time. Although paying up when he can be snapped up for free soon makes little sense on the surface, getting a deal done quickly will keep other sides at bay and end the speculation, which will be a boost for Ronny Delia.

Out – Beram Kayal

By no means a regular anymore, the Israeli star’s time may indeed be up at Celtic Park. At 26, Kayal is in his peak, which may make selling more viable, with teams across Europe likely to be tempted by his experience and proven record. Maccabi Haifa are keen, but Celtic may have to reduce their valuation to get a deal done in January, with Kayal’s old club eyeing a free deal next summer.

In – Robbie Keane

The MLS’s MVP presents an interesting option for Celtic. Players have frequently move back across the Atlantic Ocean for short-term loans during the American off-season, which could allow the Hoops to land a quick boost for their title push. Keane is known to be a fan of Celtic and has already spent a brief period of time in Glasgow, which may even be enough to tempt him into a permanent deal after a successful stint with the LA Galaxy.

Out – Virgil van Dijk

Maybe not a transfer that would directly benefit Celtic, but selling Van Dijk now could make sense. The Dutchman’s value appears to be at an all-time high, and with Arsenal known to be desperate to land a centre-back to keep their season on track, a few extra zeros could be added to his price tag.

The Dutchman himself is likely to be keen a move to further his career, so this deal is one that may well go ahead.

In – Ikechi Anya

Having rose to prominence with the Scottish national side of late, Anya is certainly a player a host of Celtic fans would love to see in January. The Watford ace has been impressive this season, and there are rumours circulating that playing regular European football and battling for silverware could tempt him north of the border.

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Unfortunately for Celtic, some Premier League sides are interested in the silky winger. Having spent much of his younger years in Spain, Anya boasts a great level of technical ability and has proven that he has the resilience to play out of his comfort zone.

Out – Leigh Griffiths

Griffiths has been far from the success Celtic hoped for when they signed him from Wolves, and with his playing time having been limited this term, a January sale has been mooted. Hibs are rumoured to be keen on a deal next month for their former star, who would benefit from regular playing time.

Tom Ince looks certain to leave Blackpool in January but manager Michael Appleton remained silent on whether they had received any bids for their star winger, the Daily Mail report.

Appleton confirmed that the Seasiders are in talks with several clubs regarding the sale of the England under-21 international, rated at £7 million, with Liverpool and Manchester United heavily linked.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers wants Ince, who left Anfield for just £250,000 18 months ago, to form part of a new strike force with Chelsea attacker Daniel Sturridge, who is also on his New Year shopping list.

Rodgers is prepared to pay £6 million to prise him away from Bloomfield Road but will face stiff competition for his signature from Premier League leaders United, who are also monitoring his progress.

The 20-year-old has been in scintillating form this season bagging 13 goals for Blackpool as they battle for a spot in the Championship play-off places and a return to the top-flight just two seasons after relegation

At least one other unnamed club are hoping to sign Ince but Appleton, who replaced Ian Holloway in the dugout at the start of last month, insists that talks with the interested parties have yet to reach an advanced stage.

“There have been no bids as far as I’m aware,” Appleton told Sky Sports.

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“I think there have been conversations with a couple of clubs and the chairman, but nothing concrete.

“No-one has come in yet and set the marker in terms of price.”

Juan Mata was instrumental in Manchester United’s victory over Liverpool on Saturday but was dropped for the embarrassing Champions League exit against Sevilla three days later.

United’s attacking midfield trio of Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez and Marcus Rashford was shapeless, impotent and confused as the Spanish side eliminated the Red Devils at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Mata was left on the substitutes bench as United struggled to find any guile or creativity and only introduced when they went 2-0 down thanks to Wissam Ben Yedder’s second goal of the game.

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The Spaniard – valued at £27m by Transfermarkt – lacks the pace that some of United’s other creative players can bring to the table but his close control and eye for a pass might just be what Jose Mourinho needs to knit his fragmented attack together.

That’s what we’re asking you; should Mata be recalled to the United line-up for the visit of Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday?

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It’s their third huge home game of the week – so far it’s won one, lost one – and this one has become especially important after the Sevilla debacle.

The away day experience is one of the very best parts of following your own football team. Although your alarm may be set for times of the day that, frankly, should never be seen, before you cram onto coaches or overpriced trains, the whole experience, regardless of result, is still one you’ll always remember.

Luckily with the Britain being of modest size, no trip (except for Carlisle to Plymouth, maybe) is too great, allowing fans to get a real feel for the beautiful game in all areas. Scotts Menswear have published results of a survey on the very best ‘away days’ around, assessing all of the characteristics and important factors in the whole experience…

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CLICK THE EMIRATES STADIUM TO REVEAL THE RESULTS

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BEST PIE

With the results of the BBC’s recent Price of Football study, the importance of the often-overlooked pie has really been brought to the fore. On a cold winter afternoon, the crumbling pastry and piping hot filling make for the ideal snack in the stands, with a burger or, dare I say it, hot dog, not even close to matching the age old football fans’ friend.

1. Wigan

2. Kilmarnock

3. Kidderminster

4. Brighton

Wigan top the pile when it comes to pies, although Kidderminster, pricey as they are, are also known for their gourmet efforts.

BEST PINT

So long as trains and busses are on time, the pre-match pint around the ground is a vital part of the whole match day experience. It may be tough to find a pub without hostile home fans, but it’s always possible to duck into a nice little ‘boozer’ for a bevvy before kick-off.

1. Derby

2. Newcastle

3. Brighton

4. Barnsley

The northern half of the country tends to dominate the list, with the cost lower and selection of lagers and ales available greater. Perfect. Brighton get a mention, with the seaside setting good for a cheeky tipple.

BEST STAND

While much of the ‘away day’ experience takes place out of the stadium, the ground itself always plays a big part. The days of old in which away fans were in roof-less terraces being battered by the elements are becoming a distant memory – albeit they are still a problem at some settings – with modern stadia now spacious and comfortable.

1. Arsenal

2. Man U

3. Newcastle

4. Bolton

It’s little surprise that the county’s most expensive stadium come out on top, with Arsenal’s Emirates effort possessing padded seats, leg room and spectacular views. Manchester United’s Old Trafford also gets a mention, while the North East caters well for travellers at St James’ Park.

BEST ATMOSPHERE

While legendary ground such as Anfield and Old Trafford are often famed for atmosphere, it’s actually some of the smaller and intimate stadia that dominate this category.

1. Crystal Palace

2. Rangers

3. Stoke City

4. Newcastle

Crystal Palace come out on top with the Holmsdale Fanatics having brought an almost continental feel to South London with drums, flags and flares building a great atmosphere at Selhurst Park. Stoke’s Britannia Stadium with it’s open corners also gets a mention, while north or the border Rangers are known for building a good feel on match day.

WORST DRESSED FANS

It may be a bit cliché to suggest that all scousers are shell suit-wearing, permed, 80s throwbacks, but they have topped this list for the worst dressed footy followers.

1. Liverpool

2. Celtic

3. Newcastle

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4. Wigan

Scotts Menswear also asked which brands and styles were the best around, and Fred Perry came out on top as the kit to be seen in with a nice pair of Adidas Originals.

BEST OVERALL ‘AWAY DAY’

And finally, all things considered, Wembley comes out as the overall best ‘away day’. The national stadium has the added advantage of the romance of cup and play-offs games, which can be the very building blocks for some of the best football trips around. The towers may be no more, but the new ground’s iconic arch and top-notch atmosphere make it the king.

1. Wembley

2. Man U

3. Tottenham

4. Rangers

5. Liverpool

6. Leeds

7. Man City

Manchester United come in a respectable second, while Tottenham’s White Hart Lane sneaks in at third.