Di Maria is expected to train this week

London, Jan 1: Manchester United mager Louis van Gaal hopes to have Angel Di Maria back in training at some point this week.

The Argentine winger returned to action at Villa Park earlier this month after three weeks on the sidelines. He then suffered a setback in training just before Christmas but van Gaal said Di Maria is making positive steps forward.

“He’s coming back. I think he shall train with us this week,” the mager told the club official website.

The first fixture of 2015 takes United to the Britannia Stadium for a New Year’s Day game against Stoke City as van Gaal’s men look to close the gap on Chelsea and Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League. IANS