Wayne Rooney backs Angel Di Maria after woeful Sunderland performance: 'He had one of those days every footballer has'

The £59.7m Argentine was replaced at half-time

Angel Di Maria reacts during his woeful performance against Sunderland (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has given team-mate Angel Di Maria support after the Argentine put in a below-par performance against Sunderland on Saturday and was taken off at half-time.

United eventually won the game 2-0 thanks to two goals from Rooney after Wes Brown was sent off in controversial circumstances.

Di Maria, who was signed by United in a Brtish record £59.7m deal from Real Madrid in August, was replaced by Adnan Januzaj at the break.

"Di Maria's performance was one of those days every footballer has," Rooney said afterwards. "He's a great player, he's shown that and you don't lose your talent overnight.

"Hopefully he'll get back to his best and start giving some great performances for us. He has a lot of experience and I think he'll figure it out - we all have to do that sometimes.

"There's nothing worse than when everyone keeps going on at you. You have to come to it in your own way and I'm sure he'll be a big player for us between now and the end of the season."