Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has called on his old employers to keep faith with record signing Angel di Maria, despite his difficult start to life at Old Trafford.

The Argentine arrived from Real Madrid in a £59.7m deal over the summer, and was widely tipped to be the man to spearhead Louis van Gaal’s new look Red Devils side.

However, despite a promising opening few months to his time at United, Di Maria’s form has dipped alarmingly of late, and he was roundly criticised by pundits and fans following his red card against Arsenal in the clubs’ FA Cup clash earlier this week.

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This has led to claims that the Premier League giants are ready to cut their losses on the 27-year-old, with PSG keen, but Ferdinand – who now plays for QPR after leaving the Theatre of Dreams on a free transfer last year – believes that the attacking star will be a success as long he is given some time:

“I thought Di Maria was a great signing for United and I still think he was a good signing because he is a top player,” he told Goal.

“He was arguably Madrid’s best player last year, him and Ronaldo were their standout players. I think he is a highly talented player.

“But it always takes time for a player to adapt to his new surroundings, especially when you go to a foreign league. Not every player can be like Ronaldo and just turn up and instantly become a superstar. Maybe it will take Di Maria a bit longer. It might take him a year, you never know.

“But his style does suit the Premier League. He is quick, runs at people, hungry to create chances and commit people. I think he is a very talented player and I like him.”

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