Argentina and Manchester United winger Angel di Maria has had a miserable season since leaving the sunny climes of Madrid for Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils.
In a some news to cheer him up though, according to retailers Sports Direct, he is the most popular Premier League player based on shirt sales, with nearly 10 per cent of all shirts sold having his name on the back.
Just missing out on a top 10 place surprisingly is Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez and while strikers are the most popular names, the most popular defender is Luke Shaw, in 38th place.
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There are a few more surprising inclusions in the top 10 here:
10 – v. Persie (1.2%)
The Dutch striker has only scored 10 goals so far this season, though his exploits in previous seasons at Arsenal and Old Trafford still make him an iconic name.
9 – Kun Aguero (1.46%)
Sergio Aguero has been the lynch-pin to Manchester City’s attack for the past few years, scoring 23 goals this year. Added to which, he will forever be remembered in the hearts of Citizens fans for the last-gasp winner against QPR to steal the Premier League title from under Manchester United noses.
8 – Gerrard (1.76%)
Captain and legend, Steven Gerrard bleeds Liverpool and is loved throughout the city. He can do no wrong, and despite some questionable recent performances, he will be revered in and around Anfield for generations to come. The midfielder is leaving his boyhood club for the MLS at the end of the season and fans will be clamouring for souvenir.
7 – Falcao (1.99%)
Somewhat of a surprise to see Radamel Falcao so high up this list, considering his torrid season at Old Trafford. That said, the Colombian is still a huge name in global sport and the reach of Manchester United stretches across the globe.
6 – Rooney (2.09%)
Captain of both England and Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is the main man at Old Trafford and an icon of a generation. It’s no surprise to see him in this list, and perhaps is a little lower than expected.
5 – Hazard (2.1%)
The Belgian’s dazzling pace and skill for Chelsea no doubt has children clamouring to pretend to be him in the school playground, emulating his step-overs and finishes. He has recently signed a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, so we can expect to see many more ‘Hazard’ replica shirts.
4 – De Gea (2.16%)
The Spaniard is the only goalkeeper in the top 10 and, if anything, is a surprise to be so high. He has taken the Premier League by storm this season, with 10 clean sheets and a number of brilliant saves.
3 – Diego Costa (2.27%)
Costa was always likely to be high, having moved from Atletico Madrid in one of the high profile moves of the summer transfer window. He hasn’t let his fans down, with 20 goals so far this season, though you’d hope any children watching on wouldn’t replicate his on-pitch aggression.
2 – Alexis (3.8%)
Formerly of Barcelona, fans watched on as Sanchez tore it up abroad and could only hope he would make the move to the Premier League. It’s understandable that fans have flocked to don his number 17 after more than justifying his big money move, scoring 18 goals.
1 – Di Maria (9.59%)
At the start of the season, if Angel Di Maria had been by far the most popular player in this list, it would not have been so surprising. An Argentina international who had appeared alongside Lionel Messi at the World Cup after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid. Since his move to the Premier League though, he has suffered a shocking loss of form.