Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Manchester United assistant Ryan Giggs: Angel Di Maria is 'a free spirit'

Ryan Giggs has described Angel Di Maria as a "free spirit" who he loves to watch and who brings fans to their feet in delight.

Manchester United's assistant manager, who spent much of his 963-game career as a left winger, said he is excited to see the way Di Maria plays.

The 26-year-old became British football's record signing when he joined Old Trafford from Real Madrid in August for 59.7 million pounds.

And Louis van Gaal's second in command said Di Maria, who helped Argentina reach the World Cup final in the summer and who was named Man of the Match in last season's Champions League final as he helped Real Madrid lift the trophy, does not require much coaching.

"You don't need to do a lot with him," said Giggs, quoted in the Manchester Evening News. "He's that sort of player, he's a free spirit."

Di Maria has scored three goals and recorded three assists in his last four appearances for United, coinciding with an upturn in form for the Red Devils.

And Giggs added: "He will take you from box to box really quickly and he will create and score goals. He gets bums off seats and he excites me. He's the kind of player you love to watch."

Di Maria and his compatriot Marcos Rojo are making the long journey back from Hong Kong to Manchester before Monday's game against West Bromwich Albion.

Defender Rojo was an unused substitute while Di Maria came off the bench for the final 17 minutes of Argentina's 7-0 win on Tuesday.

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