Argentine international Ángel Di María has delivered a brutally honest reflection on his difficult spell at Manchester United, revealing how clashes with manager Louis van Gaal, family struggles and a traumatic burglary pushed him toward an early exit from Old Trafford.
Di María, who joined United from Real Madrid in August 2014 for a then-British record fee of £59.7 million, admitted his time in England quickly deteriorated despite a sensational start to life in the Premier League. “Things started really well,” the winger said during a recent interview. “Everything was flowing. Then I started to have issues with Van Gaal and from there everything fell apart.”
The 38-year-old enjoyed a flying spell to his United career, scoring three goals and providing four assists in his first six appearances.
Signed as one of the biggest stars in world football after helping Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League, Di María arrived with expectations of helping restore United to the summit of English football.
“He Never Showed Me What I Was Doing Well”
According to Di María, tensions with Van Gaal began after the Dutch manager repeatedly criticised his performances and constantly altered his role within the team.
During his lone season at Old Trafford, the winger was deployed on both flanks, as an attacking midfielder and even deeper in midfield.
“As I said, I started really well. Everything was perfect but then suddenly we started having lots of meetings about all the things I was doing wrong on the pitch.
Angel Di Maria
He never showed me what I was doing well, just the negatives, over and over. Eventually I got fed up.”
The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker also described how life away from football contributed heavily to his unhappiness in Manchester.
He recalled struggling with the weather, lifestyle changes and the attempted burglary at his Cheshire home while his family were inside.
“Life there was very different. It gets dark really early and then the cold started. Everything kept snowballing. There was also the break-in at my house. When all of that happens; when you are not playing, when things aren’t going well for you, when you have problems inside the club, it ends up affecting you a lot. It made me hate being there.”
Àngel Di Maria, Former Manchester United Winger
Di María added that although he was later robbed again while living in Paris, his experience in France was completely different because he and his family were settled and happy there. “I got robbed in Paris too and still stayed for another two or three years, because life there was good,” he revealed. “In Manchester, everything just snowballed. I wanted to prioritise my family and that is why I left.”
A Stellar Playing Career
The Argentine international forced through a move to PSG after refusing to participate in United’s pre-season tour in 2015. He completed a £44.3 million transfer to the French champions after only one season in England.
Despite the bitterness surrounding his departure, Di María insisted he does not regret joining United and still appreciates the support he received from many people at the club.
“When it comes to the Premier League, the atmosphere, life at the club, honestly, I was left with a really good feeling because there were great people inside the club who always treated me well. It was a decision I wanted to make. I wanted to go to United. The football, arriving at the stadiums, the atmosphere, the love from the fans, I don’t regret any of it.”
Àngel Di Maria, Former Manchester United Winger
Di María’s career has since taken him across Europe and back home to Argentina. After emerging at Rosario Central, he moved to Benfica in 2007 before earning a transfer to Real Madrid following the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After spells with Manchester United, PSG, and Juventus, he later returned to Benfica in 2023 before eventually rejoining boyhood club Rosario Central last year.
He has won multiple trophies in his career including the La Liga title with Real Madrid and a couple of Ligue 1 crowns while at Paris Saint Germain in France.
His defining moment will be the 2022 World Cup he helped Argentina win in Qatar where he scored in the final against France. The game eventually ended 3-3 but La Albiceleste went on to clinch their third World Cup on penalties.
