On Sunday Manchester United will travel to Liverpool for their biggest match of their season . It will be a rip-roaring , full-bloodied battle which may well be settled by one moment of magic - an occasion made for those who shine on the biggest stages . And yet last year 's Champions League man-of-the-match , a man who also played at the World Cup in Brazil , may well struggle to make Louis van Gaal 's starting line-up . Angel di Maria has had a difficult start to life in a Manchester United shirt since arriving from Real Madrid . Di Maria ( second right ) has suffered a Fernando Torres-eque loss of form that nobody saw coming . Based on ability , Angel di Maria should be a shoo-in . His explosive pace and unnerving eye for a killer pass would seem to be the perfect fit for a 90 minutes in which United may well spend long periods on the back foot , looking to counter . But the skills that made Ed Woodward write Real Madrid a cheque for the best part of £60m have rarely been displayed after Di Maria suffered a Fernando Torres-esque loss of form that nobody saw coming . The promise of an explosive partnership down the left with fellow new boy Luke Shaw had United fans drooling . Louis van Gaal has stuck by his man so far , but he has a big decision to make ahead of Sunday 's match . Manchester United travel to Liverpool , and Di Maria may not be in the starting line-up at Anfield . Di Maria , however , did not want to leave Madrid and that is where the problems began . Then came the weather . Mancunian winters , as Roy Keane pointed out , can be hard to endure for those used to sunnier climes . Six hours of grey light a day and continual rain can hammer at the mindset of those not used to it . Di Maria also struggled to adapt to Louis van Gaal 's tactical switches . He is not alone in that , and has rarely been given licence to roam up and down the left wing . The problems for Di Maria began when he left Madrid - he was happy there and did not want to leave . Di Maria was sent off in Manchester United 's FA Cup clash with Arsenal earlier in March . Van Gaal pointed out that most players do not find their feet until their second season - but try telling that to Chelsea fans who have seen Diego Costa fit seemlessly into Jose Mourinho 's Premier League leaders . As if the above were enough to contend with , then came the break-in . Sat at home in a foreign country watching TV with your wife and young daughter when suddenly a quiet night in is interrupted by the terrifying sound of raiders armed with scaffolding poles trying to smash their way into your isolated house . Juan Mata started for Manchester United in Di Maria 's absence against Tottenham and impressed throughout . Van Gaal now has to decide whether to stick or twist - Mata ( centre ) or Di Maria ( right ) on Sunday ? Yes , the thugs were disturbed by the alarm system and made their getaway . But the trauma of that experience must remain . There may have been , and may still be , recurring nightmares . In a state of panic , the Di Marias fled to a city centre hotel with a security team . The family now live high above the ground at a separate city centre apartment . It is safe and it is luxurious but it may well feel like a prison and is not the ideal environment in which to raise a young child . Van Gaal , a family man , knows this . He has given Di Maria compassionate leave and stood by his man after the latest low , a red card for grabbing referee Michael Oliver 's shirt in the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal . Di Maria has shown flashes of his potential , scoring four goals in United colours since his arrival in August . Di Maria ( right ) was all smiles on international duty in September , but his form has been poor for United . In the subsequent victory over Tottenham , for which Di Maria was suspended , United delivered their best 45 minutes of the season . Replacement Juan Mata linked well with Ander Herrera as Van Gaal 's side displayed a synchronicity rarely seen this season . The Dutchman now has to decide whether to stick or twist . Mata , for all his qualities , lacks pace . Di Maria is a better player but can he finally deliver when United need him most ? With £60m already spent it is a gamble worth taking .
Manchester United travel to Liverpool for a huge game on last year 's . Louis van Gaal has to decide whether to start out-of-form Angel di Maria . Di Maria has had a difficult start to life in Manchester , particularly after intruders broke into his house while he and his family were there . Based on ability , Di Maria should be in the starting XI , but Van Gaal may decide to start Juan Mata instead of the Argentinian . CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester United news .