It is to be hoped Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal interrupted his holiday in Portugal to watch some of the Copa America.
It would have provided him with a clear reminder of why he sanctioned the £59.7 million signing of Angel Di Maria nearly a year ago.
At the tournament in Chile, the Argentinian looked in impressive form as Argentina reached the final before losing to the hosts on Saturday night.
In their semi-final, Di Maria scored twice and provided an assist to help Argentina overcome Paraguay 6-1 in Concepcion.
Last season, Di Maria was rarely seen at his best at Old Trafford. But in Chile, he played with his usual confidence and the verve and attacking intent that made him one of the world’s leading players.
Inevitably, there has been renewed speculation that Di Maria could be the subject of a bid from either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich this summer.
There might be a temptation from Van Gaal and the Old Trafford board to cash in on Di Maria, get most of their money back and reinvest it in another player during this transfer window.
But that would be a grand and costly mistake, for Di Maria still has the ability to be United’s most influential and important player next season.
United possess a rare and brilliant talent, who must now be nurtured and given the stage he deserves rather than cast aside after a single season.
Every leading club in Europe is searching for a catalyst, a player who who can inspire others and help to transform their fortunes.
In Di Maria, United already possess that player, who remains a world-class talent and, aged only 27, is now approaching his peak.
It is true he endured a difficult first season at United, but the Premier League is littered with stories of foreign players who have needed time to settle and of clubs who were rewarded for their patience.
This summer, Arsenal have celebrated the 20th anniversary of the signing of a Premier League icon, Dennis Bergkamp.
When he first arrived at Highbury, the Dutchman looked a lost soul.Inter Milan looked to be vindicated for their surprising decision to sell him, but his talent was far too great to fester for long, and soon it would emerge to help overhaul Arsenal and deliver seven trophies over the next 11 years.
