« Previous: No. 23, Jordan Henderson | Next: No. 21, Morgan Schneiderlin »

Welcome to ESPN FC's #PremRank.

ESPN FC is counting down the top 50 players in the Premier League right now, as voted for by various columnists, editors and analysts. Who makes the cut? Disagree with our list? Tell us on Twitter using the hashtag #PremRank.

Why Angel Di Maria makes the list

Manchester United fans had every right to rejoice as their club signed one of the world's most celebrated players from Real Madrid in a British record 59.7 million pound deal last summer, yet Di Maria's move to Old Trafford has not reaped the swift results many were predicting. Di Maria's hugely impressive display in last season's Champions League final confirmed his status as a marquee name in the world game and after strong suggestions that he would move to Paris Saint-Germain, it was United who stepped in to pay his lavish price tag and take him to England.

Some flashes of brilliance in his first few weeks at the club were highlighted by a brilliant chipped finish in United's defeat at Leicester in September, but the anticipated impact Di Maria would have been hoping to make in the Premier League failed to materialize, despite a host of assists over the course of the season. A low point of his troubled story came as he was sent off for an act of petulance in the FA Cup quarterfinal defeat against Arsenal in March, with his manager Louis van Gaal admitting his future at United is far from certain amid fresh talk of a possible move to PSG.
- Kevin Palmer

The stats that tell the story

- Led Manchester United with 51 chances created this season, despite playing only 27 games.
- Tied for third in the league with 10 assists this season. Had an assist every 175 minutes, the second-best rate in the league, narrowly trailing league leader Cesc Fabregas, who had an assist every 171 minutes.

What the experts say

"Nevertheless, the quality is there and I don't think United can afford to lose him. They need that kind of player if they are to compete in the Champions League." - Paul Scholes

" A club that loves its wingers once again had a number 7 they could cherish." - John Brewin

« Previous: No. 23, Jordan Henderson | Next: No. 21, Morgan Schneiderlin »