Former defender Gary Neville has backed under-fire Angel Di Maria to start over Juan Mata for Manchester United's all important clash against Liverpool this weekend.Angel Di Maria has failed to perform since making a record £59.7million move to United over the summer, with his recent displays coming under intense scrutiny.
To make matters worse, Di Maria stupidly got himself sent off during United's disappointing 2-1 FA Cup quarter final defeat against Arsenal for pushing referee Mike Oliver.
Di Maria was then forced to sit out United's impressive 3-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday due to the suspension and with the Red Devils having performed so well against Spurs, many are of the opinion that the winger should remain on the sidelines for the clash against Liverpool this weekend as well.
However, former United defender Gary Neville has stated that Di Maria should in fact be reinstated into the starting line-up over Mata because he believes that the Argentine superstar is more suited to a counter-attacking style of play.
"I think nine of them are absolute certainties, rest-aside injuries that could happen in training." Neville said on Sky Sports' 'Monday Night Football' show. "I think Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Fellaini, Carrick, Herrera, Young and Rooney will all play. The big decision is Di Maria or Mata. I would go with Di Maria for pace.
"I think they will need to play on the counter attack and also match the speed of Moreno and Coutinho (on the Liverpool left)."
