Manchester United Midfielder Angel di Maria Second Only to Lionel Messi, Praises Teammate

Argentine international Lucas Biglia believes Manchester United midfielder Angel di Maria now ranks among the top three players in world football.

Di Maria, 26, moved to Old Trafford for a club record fee of £59.6m during the summer transfer window, making his debut in a 0-0 draw with Burnley last Saturday.

On Wednesday, the former Real Madrid star joined up with his national team for a repeat of the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, a game Di Maria missed through injury.

Gaining a modicum of revenge against the world champions, Argentina eased to a 4-2 victory with Di Maria playing an instrumental role, setting up three goals and scoring another.

"Di Maria is not amongst the 15 best players in the world," Lazio midfielder Biglia was quoted as saying by Portuguese publication A Bola. "He is amongst the best three."

"Leo (Messi) is from another planet. After him comes Fideo (Noodle, di Maria's nickname) with Cristiano Ronaldo."

In the absence of Lionel Messi, Di Maria inspired his team to victory, teeing up Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela and Federico Fernandez before racing in from the right and clipping the ball over German shot stopper Roman Weidenfeller to add a fourth.

Former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino was taking charge of Argentina for the first time following Alejandro Sabella's departure following the World Cup and was quick to praise the dynamic performance of the United star.

"Di Maria is one of the best four or five players in the world and so his performances didn't surprise me. His absence (in the World Cup was noticeable)."

Di Maria suffered a thigh injury in Brazil that ruled him out of his side's semi-final penalty shootout victory over Netherlands and the 1-0 loss to Germany in the final.

After his inspired domestic campaign for Real Madrid, Di Maria's absence was mourned by Argentina but Germany coach Joachim Low believes the same outcome would have emerged had he been fit.

"We would have beaten them even if Di Maria played on July 13," Low said after his side's defeat, cushioned by late consolation goals from Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze.

"It can't be revenge. You can't bring the final back."