Just like the meaning of his first name, Angel Di Maria is an “angel” for the teams he plays for, except Manchester United. The Angel of the Rosario was not accepted by the Red Devils fans who actually called him a “snake”.
Angel Di Maria has spent the last seven seasons in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) uniform. The wealthy French club brought Di Maria from Manchester United in 2015. Angel Di Maria’s departure from Old Trafford in the 2015 summer transfer market left Man United supporters’ dislike for the Rosario-born winger.
Branded half-heartedly defending Man United
Initially, the arrival of Angel Di Maria to Old Trafford in 2014 seemed to be a dream transfer for Manchester United. Di Maria has just had a good season with Real Madrid. He played a big part in bringing Los Blancos to win the Champions League in the 2013-2014 season. In the final against Atletico Madrid, Di Maria was chosen as Man of the Match.
The Red Devils, who was coached by Louis van Gaal at that time, also agreed a price of 75 million euros with Real Madrid to get Angel Di Maria. The price at that time became a transfer record in England. At Man United, Di Maria was given the honor of wearing the legendary number 7. He is expected to be an “angel” who can bring the Red Devils back from adversity after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. However, Di Maria’s career with Man United did not go as expected.
He actually recorded three goals and 11 assists from 33 competitive appearances for Manchester United in the 2014-15 season. However, this record is not enough to give a good impression to the Red Devils fans. While defending Man United, Di Maria was considered not to play wholeheartedly. He is also reportedly involved in a conflict with his coach, Louis van Gaal.
Citing the Manchester Evening News article in March 2019, the bad relationship was seen from Van Gaal’s sharp gaze at Di Maria in the 2014-15 Premier League weekend match against Hull City. “I believe he (Di Maria) felt something in his hamstring and didn’t want to take the risk,” Van Gaal said at the time.
At the end of the season, Man United sold Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain for 63 million euros. When PSG visited Old Trafford to play Manchester United in the first leg of the 2018-2019 Champions League last 16, Di Maria was the target of “booo” from the Red Devils supporters.
Rise at PSG, Remain an Important Pillar of Argentina
Angel Di Maria is recognized as one of the best wingers at the moment. His left foot is very powerful in sending passes. After a season that didn’t go well in England with Manchester United, Di Maria again found the “angel touch” at Paris Saint-Germain. He became an important pillar of PSG who managed to dominate the French Ligue 1 by winning four titles in the last six seasons.
Di Maria also remains the first choice in the Argentina national team squad. Although often under the shadow of Lionel Messi, he is a key figure for La Albiceleste. In the 2021 Copa America final, Di Maria was the only goal scorer in Argentina’s win over Brazil.
Most recently, Angel Di Maria’s only goal brought La Albiceleste to a 1-0 win over Uruguay in the 2022 World Cup Qualifying match. This victory brought the Argentine national team closer to the World Cup in Qatar next year.
Angel Di Maria, the Angel of Rosario who was once branded as a snake by Man United fans, is currently enjoying a career at PSG and continuing his good form with the Argentine national team. Regarding a career at Manchester United, Di Maria admitted that it was a sad experience.
“Manchester was a sad experience,” Di Maria told L’Equipe in 2016. “Things didn’t go as I expected. I was disappointed and couldn’t come to the surface. To be honest, I don’t remember what happened, and I don’t want to remember it,” said the 33-year-old player.
Angel Di Maria was a phenomenal player at Real Madrid, helpless at Manchester United, then took the easy way out: the Ligue 1 monopoly with Paris Saint-Germain.
