Angel di Maria has been the Premier League star so far

Diego Costa? Not for me. My vote goes to Angel di Maria.Of course Costa has been brilliant. But he walked into a team that should have won the title last season – check out those dropped points late in the campaign against Norwich, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. He has arrived to find a calm environment, a club without turmoil, and not in a situation of seeing a great empire virtually ruined by one stinking, disastrous season.Costa’s great start is put into shade by what Di Maria has done at Manchester United, where he walked into a huge challenge.If Di Maria keeps up his form for United and takes them back into the Champions League, surely that is a far bigger achievement than anything any player might do at Chelsea this season?Let’s put it into context: Manchester United were a shambles last season. After the glory of the Fergie era, some of those players were on the floor under David Moyes. When Rio Ferdinand, with his record of success and medals, says Moyes had him “doubting everything” you can appreciate how low things had sunk at Old Trafford. It was so bad Nemanja Vidic fixed up a move and announced it mid-season – when did a top player do that at United?With senior players disillusioned, United were heading in totally the wrong direction. They finished seventh and won nothing.Then three members of the back four left - Ferdinand, Vidic and Patrice Evra. Three senior players.On top of that the new manager couldn’t start work until the Netherlands were out of the World Cup.Throw in an injury crisis as the season got under way and you’ll understand the gravity of the situation at Manchester United.Of course they’ve spent money – they needed to given how awful last season was. But in the context of everything I’ve just described, Louis van Gaal deserves some credit.The most expensive signing has been Di Maria. Big money players need to make a big impact – United needed that instantly from the Argentina wide man. And they got it.Some mega-money Premier League players have struggled to have an impact - Robinho and Juan Mata are two examples.And then we get to the deals that make Di Maria look like a bargain at £60million.Andy Carroll, Mesut Ozil and Fernando Torres have commanded fees at Premier League clubs that are eye-wateringly embarrassing for all involved.(dailymail.co.uk)Bakudaily.Az