Manager Louis van Gaal urged Angel di Maria to give even more after he inspired Manchester United to a 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers on his home debut.

The Argentina international, United’s record signing, upstaged debutant Radamel Falcao in Sunday’s game at Old Trafford with a goal, an assist and a hand in the home side’s two other goals.

He came off in the 82nd minute after suffering cramp and although Van Gaal heralded his contribution, he said that he expected the £59.7 million ($98 million, 75 million euros) winger to get even better.

“Di Maria is all right, but he has cramp. Normally you have to play 90 minutes without cramp, but that’s also a positive symbol that he gave everything,” the Dutchman told his post-match press conference.

“When you prepare three goals and you make (score) the first goal yourself, you cannot play bad. But he had a lot of unnecessary losses, so we can do better. Even Angel di Maria.

“Can you do better when you prepare three goals and make one? It’s nearly impossible. But I’m a coach and I analyse the game and I see things we have to improve as a team.”

Di Maria put United ahead in the 24th minute with a free-kick from wide on the right that crept in at the far post.

He instigated the moves that saw Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney swell United’s lead with a pair of low strikes before half-time and then teed up Juan Mata to add a fourth goal with a mishit shot in the 58th minute.

Having seen his side go four games without winning prior to Sunday’s game, Van Gaal rejigged his line-up by introducing a four-man defence and a diamond midfield.

But despite the impressive nature of United’s performance, the former Netherlands coach said the decision to jettison his 3-4-1-2 formation had been imposed upon him by circumstance.

“I could hardly play with five defenders because (Chris) Smalling and (Phil) Jones were injured,” Van Gaal explained.

“So I was more or less forced to play with four defenders, but it’s also because of the quality of players that I changed the system.”

He added: “I said to the players before the match that we have to make a new start today.”