In a film or a theatre production - people like a hero to come to the rescue and it is no different for Manchester United. By Ayyaz Malik.

The Red Devils are unfortunately (for United fans) in need of that as well and more.

The Old Trafford club can boast of a very proud history which includes ‘heroes’ of that particular era. Players such as Dennis Law in the 80’s , Eric Cantona in the 90’s and one of the most recent ‘heroes’ was Christiano Ronaldo in the noughties.

The current hero Manchester United fans are hoping will be new boy Angel Di Maria, the Argentine is the most expensive player in England and has lot of weight on his shoulders.

The 19 time champions haven't  been in this ‘state of affairs for some time , as soon as the former Real Madrid attacker agreed the deal to come to Manchester, the expectations of being a British record buy and a club record buy only adds to the pressure that the Argentine will be under as United look to get some momentum going in this campaign  .

There (Man United’s) main problems seems to be a lack of pace in the team - and it was evident in Saturday’s game against Burnley, this was a team that did include Di Maria in it - but unfortunately the former Benfica man had to go off after 70 minutes with cramp.

Not only are the problems in attack for United they are in defence to, Ferdinand and Vidic who were 2 ‘gladiators’ in there peak haven't been adequately replaced.

The current back line is youthful and inexperienced Tyler Blackett in his early Manchester United career looks shaky and nervous - and is the epitome of the Reds’ current problems at the moment.

Whatever system Van Gaal plays he will need a defensive midfield player, so the speculation linking United with former City player Nigel De Jong was logical.

The former Blue was a important part of what the former Dutch boss was trying to do with his Dutch team in the world cup, the 62 year old needs a player of the calibre and it’s no surprise that a fee has been agreed for Daley Blind.

The 24 year old would be a great signing for the Reds as Blind is a versatile player who can play as left back, wing- back or a holding midfield player. The system that Louie Van Gaal is looking to implement, I think the soon to be former Ajax man can excel for United and be a real benefit to United in that system (3-5-2).

 

For Di Maria to be a good signing he needs good players around him in defence, midfield and attack ,this is why I have raised my concerns as defensively Man United are short, Rojo and Shaw are unavailable and injured respectively - but the crooks of the matter is that a good commanding centre back is needed, even Van Gaal sees strong centre backs as a essential part of the team,  in the world cup he had a strong centre back in Ron Vlaar and Bruno Matins Indi who were both big and strong.

When Ronaldo was at Manchester United he had good players around him and was seen as a ‘hero’ - and when Di Maria gets good players around him (United have to get good players around Di Maria to compete with Europe’s and England’s best) I feel for sure Manchester United will find themselves a new ‘hero’.

Every story needs a happy ending where the ‘hero’ saves the day, for United fans they will be hoping the 26 year old Angel Di Maria will be there hero.