We are well into the business end of the Copa América, with only one quarter-final left between Brazil and Paraguay to determine who joins hosts Chile, Peru and Argentina in the semi-finals. The tournament has delivered as expected, with plenty of shocks, last-minute winners, brawls and controversial moments, such as Neymar’s moment of madness and Gonzalo Jara inexplicably deciding to probe Edinson Cavani’s backside.
Three Manchester United players were called up to play in the Copa América this summer, and all three are still in the tournament – Ángel Di María and Marcos Rojo for Argentina, and Angelo Henriquez for Chile. Here’s a look at how they have fared so far.
Ángel Di María
Di María did not have the best of seasons for United, as he struggled to recapture the form that persuaded the Reds to part with close to £60 million to obtain his services. However, his performances at the Copa América have shown that he is finding some kind of form again.
Argentina haven’t played to their maximum potential at this tournament, despite topping a group containing Uruguay, Paraguay and Jamaica with two wins and one draw. Tata Martino’s side have had their attacking presence stifled, with the likes of Lionel Messi and Sergio Agüero being shackled by less illustrious opponents.
Despite being anonymous at times however, Di María is once again approaching top form, as Martino has stationed him wide on the left flank, his favoured position. He put in a man of the match performance against Jamaica to help the Albiceleste to top spot in their group, and there is no doubt that playing in his favoured position is getting the best out of him.
Argentina are through to the semi-finals, and they will face the winners of the game between Brazil and Paraguay. If he continues playing as he has, Di María will prove crucial to the Albiceleste’s hopes of breaking a 22-year trophy drought, and United fans will be hoping that he carries this form into the new season.
Marcos Rojo
While Argentina have been stifled up front, their defence has been sturdy, having only conceded two goals in open play so far in the tournament. Rojo has been a big part of that, playing every minute so far for the Albiceleste.
Rojo has played left back for Argentina this tournament, with Tata Martino preferring a partnership of Ezequiel Garay and Nicolás Otamendi, who have both been linked previously with moves to United, in the centre of defence. This hasn’t stopped Rojo from putting in impressive performances down the left flank, forming a solid partnership with club team-mate Ángel Di María.
At times he has been left exposed, but on the whole his performances have been solid, and he has shown flashes of skill – including an audacious rabona in Argentina’s final group game against Jamaica. He was also given the duty of taking a penalty in the nail biting quarter-final with Colombia, although he only managed to smash it against the crossbar.
Angelo Henriquez
Henriquez has been a bit part member of the Chile squad at this tournament. The striker, who enjoyed a good season on loan at Dinamo Zagreb, must be itching for a chance to show what he can do, but with Alexis Sánchez and Eduardo Vargas definite starters up front for La Roja, he has had to make do with a place on the bench.
The only appearance he has made in this tournament so far was in the hosts’ 5-0 thrashing of Bolivia, coming on at half time for Sánchez and contributing to the victory, sending in the cross that caused Ronald Raldes to turn the ball into his own net for the fifth goal.
Unless Sánchez and Vargas succumb to injury, it is unlikely that Henriquez will make another appearance for Chile at this tournament, and he might possibly have to watch from the bench as Chile aim to win their first ever Copa América.
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