With Manchester United’s recent strong league form and resurgence into the top four of the Premier League, some have concluded it to be the result of Angel Di Maria’s spell out of the starting lineup. But the midfielder deserves to be recalled ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend.

Di Maria missed out against United’s big win at Old Trafford over Tottenham earlier in March through suspension, however, two second-half substitute appearances against Liverpool and Aston Villa where he registered an assist in both games, the Argentine has shown his quality.

After getting off to a blazing start to his Old Trafford career with three goals and three assists in his first five games, Di Maria has struggled with injuries and off field issues with his family, leading to a frustrating season for the 27-year-old and fans who followed him in past years in Spain at Real Madrid and understand the quality he possess.

With a hefty price tag comes great responsibility, however. Di Maria is the Premier League’s most expensive player ever and it is fair to expect more from him than the average player. Despite struggling mightily, Di Maria has directly been involved in 14 of the 29 league goals United have scored while he’s been on the pitch, a staggering stat for a player who’s come under much scrutiny for being off with his passes and crosses this year.

United boss Louis van Gaal has deployed the 4-3-3/4-1-4-1 formation in recent weeks, resulting in his side generating much more offence. Although Di Maria often played in a midfield three at Madrid, van Gaal does not look like he’ll split the Marouane Fellaini-Michael Carrick-Ander Herrera midfield that has brought success to a side trying to get back into the Champions League.

The obvious candidate to make way for Di Maria would be Ashley Young. Although Young has began to find form, the recent play of Juan Mata on the right wing will be vital if United have any hope of defeating Manchester City.

That would leave the midfield three with Di Maria on the left, Wayne Rooney as striker, and Mata on the wing. That trio has potential to exploit a City defence struggling recently, coming off a 2-1 loss against Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

If Di Maria is to play on the left wing, he will match up with either Pablo Zabaleta or Bacary Sagna. Zabaleta remains as one of the league’s top full backs, but it is clear his level of quality his decreased while Sagna failed to handle the threat of Yannick Bolasie against Palace. Di Maria will certainly favour his chances in a match up either one as he strives he regain his spot in the United team.

Even at the worst of his standards this season, Di Maria has ten assists this season, only Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas has more (16).

Di Maria has faired fairly well against the top teams, hardly hasn’t ‘shown up’ as many critics have put it. Di Maria delivered a fantastic free kick that led to United’s equalizer against Chelsea earlier in the season, then he strung Rooney on a breakaway against Arsenal leading to a goal and lobbed a beautiful pass over the Liverpool back line to set up Mata’s sensational second goal.

Di Maria has struggled at times this season, there is no question about it. But the quality he owns always finds a way to come out and influence the game. He definitely has the ability to make the difference against United’s “noisy neighbours.” A game of this magnitude and importance should see your best players trusted with the occasion, and Di Maria will need that trust given to him by van Gaal as United try to solidify their top four position.