Manchester United assistant boss Ryan Giggs claims that Angel di Maria is not suffering from a crisis of confidence and expects him to play a major role in the club’s pursuit of FA Cup glory.

The most expensive signing in British football has struggled to justify his huge fee since scoring three times in his first five appearances following his move from Real Madrid for £59.7million last August.

The 27-year-old Argentina World Cup star has netted only once in 19 games and been substituted in United’s last three Premier League matches.

But United assistant manager Giggs is adamant Di Maria has a big part to play as the business end of the season approaches.

“I think his confidence is fine,” Giggs told PA. “He’s a quality player and we’ll be looking for him to produce because it is big game after big game now. Players get used to different leagues, sometimes quickly and sometimes it takes a bit of time.

“He had a really good start to the season but with players who take risks and who can win games it’s always difficult to be consistent because they will try things that other players won’t do.

“They’re capable of doing that and that’s why they’re match-winners and the best players.”

United are involved in a race for Champions League football with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Southampton all also still chasing a top-four Premier League finish behind current top two Chelsea and Manchester City.