Manchester United and PSG had a very protracted and dramatic transfer deal this summer for winger Angel di Maria. Given how long the transfer process took, and all the issues that surrounded it, you can’t be surprised that Di Maria said something negative about his experience at Old Trafford.
Of course, Di Maria makes these comments now, coming off a fantastic game with Paris St. Germain. The Argentine superstar did his best to explain why things didn’t work out in his one season with the Red Devils. Yesterday he aired his grievances with United Manager Louis van Gaal and his system.
Transcript of his interview with ESPN Radio Argentina, via ESPN FC
“Van Gaal has his philosophy and one of the things that made me want to leave is that,” Di Maria said.
“It is difficult to adapt to Van Gaal. I had a couple of rows with him.”
“I started well [at United] and after that I got injured. Things didn’t go well for me and Van Gaal changed my position. I spoke with [Laurent] Blanc and his thinking was that I’d play in a similar position to where I did at Real Madrid.”
Basically, he just blasted Van Gaal, and his philosophy. Di Maria doesn’t take ownership of his flop at United. Instead he blames the Manager for playing him out of position. Towards the end of his one year at Old Trafford he lost starting place, and he never looked world class in any of the games he played after getting hurt. He did show some brilliance in his first few appearances, and finished the year third in the league in assists. As the most expensive signing in Premier League history, so much was expected of Di Maria, but he essentially failed to deliver.
Even the way that he left was bad, as Di Maria went AWOL on United during the summer preseason tour, and then obfuscated things for everyone involved. Di Maria actually wanted to go to PSG last year, but due to the financial issues the club had at that time, it was impossible. Perhaps the Argentine winger never really wanted to be a United player?
Di Maria’s comments today certainly won’t win the hearts and minds of United supporters. That’s unfortunate, given the letter he penned to them on August 7th. In that letter, Di Maria attempted to explain his failure and make amends with his former club’s supporters. That good will is eradicated now.
I’m not sure United supporters ever bought into the intentions of his apology letter in the first place. After today, Di Maria is certain to be among the fan’s least favorite people.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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