Manchester United Transfer News: Di Maria Implores Van Gaal to Sign Argentine Compatriot in January

Angel Di Maria could be the key to Nicolas Gaitan making his move from Benfica to Manchester United in the January transfer window.

Gaitan has been linked with a move to Manchester United for quite a while, with those rumours refusing to cease even after the summer transfer window came to a close.

With Angel Di Maria settling into life at Manchester United pretty well, the club were linked with a double swoop for the midfielder's Argentine compatriots Enzo Perez and Gaitan.

However, it looks like Perez is set for a move to Valencia in January, leaving Manchester United with the lone option of buying Gaitan.

The Argentine playmaker has a £30 million release clause, which Manchester United, considering their deep pockets, should have no problems in matching.

The only question, though, remains if Louis Van Gaal needs another attacking midfielder in his squad. Manchester United have an embarrassment of attacking riches at the moment and with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera shining in deeper positions Manchester United have found their attacking mojo.

That attacking mojo has taken them on a wonderful eight-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, seven of which they have won, with the latest one coming on Boxing Day when they swept aside Newcastle 3-1 with Rooney the hero, scoring two and assisting the other for Robin Van Persie.

However, Van Gaal will know the importance of strengthening his team when there is an opportunity, no matter what form, and Di Maria wants his compatriot Gaitan to make a move to Old Trafford.

Di Maria has reportedly spoken with Van Gaal to convince the Dutchman that Gaitan is worth the £30 million, and will add something more to the squad, according to the Daily Express.

Whether Van Gaal agrees with his superstar player or not remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Di Maria missed the Boxing Day win over Newcastle with an injury picked up in training on Christmas Eve, and Van Gaal said further tests will be required before coming to a conclusion over the nature and seriousness of the injury.

"In the last training session, he stepped out of the warming up," Van Gaal said.