Madrid: Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria has claimed he never asked to leave Real Madrid after sealing his British transfer record £59.7 million (Dh363.9 million) move to Manchester United.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti had repeatedly stated over the past week that Di Maria demanded an exit from the Spanish capital.
The 26-year-old denied those suggestions, but did hint that the reason behind his departure was the club’s failure to give him an improved contract after his man-of-the-match performance as Real won their 10th European Cup against Atletico Madrid in May.
“Unfortunately, today I have to leave, but I want to make it clear that was never my wish,” Di Maria said in an open letter to Madrid sports daily Marca.
“After winning the 10th European Cup, I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a gesture from the board.
“They talked about many things and many lies. They always wanted to place the initiative on me for leaving the club, but it was not like this.
“Unfortunately I am not to the footballing tastes of some people. The only thing that I asked for is something that would be fair.
“There are many things I value which have nothing to do with my salary.
“I hope to find those at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and hopefully I can make history.”
Di Maria is believed to have become increasingly frustrated when Real president Florentino Perez also splashed out over €100 million (Dh484 million) on World Cup stars James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, pushing him down the pecking order at the Bernabeu.
However, he received a standing ovation from the home fans when he appeared as a late substitute in his last game for Real in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Atletico last week.
“The memory of this moment when the Bernabeu rose and I received the immense love of the fans in the Super Cup will live with me forever,” he added.
“I had goosebumps. I could not have had a better goodbye for what was unfortunately my last game.”
Di Maria, who can play as a winger or in midfield, came through one of the most celebrated youth academies in Argentinian football at home-town club Rosario Central.
In 2007, he joined Portuguese giants Benfica, where he won one league title and two League Cups before joining Real Madrid in 2010.
He won the La Liga title with Madrid in 2012 and was named man of the match after they beat city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 in last season’s Champions League final in Lisbon.
The Argentina international has scored 10 goals in 52 appearances for his country and was shortlisted for the Golden Ball at this year’s World Cup despite missing the semi-final and final due to injury.
His arrival in Manchester is the headline deal of United’s overhaul under new manager Van Gaal, who had already spent a combined £72 million on England left-back Luke Shaw, Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera and Di Maria’s Argentina team-mate Marcos Rojo.
Di Maria could make his debut at Burnley on Saturday as Van Gaal looks to revitalise a United team still without a win after the first two games of the new Premier League campaign.
Shortly after the deal was announced, a second-string United team were humiliated 4-0 by third-division Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup.
Speaking afterwards, Van Gaal said that although Di Maria’s versatility would prove useful, the 26-year-old would have to adapt quickly to his new surroundings.
“I think he shall contribute very much in our way of playing,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
“He is a creative player. I can change the system with Di Maria because he can play on the wing and midfield. He can contribute and that is very important.
“But we don’t have to expect that from tomorrow the world has been changed. He has to adapt to the culture of England, the culture of the Premier League, and the philosophy of Manchester United.”
United’s newly appointed captain Wayne Rooney took to Twitter to give Di Maria’s arrival his personal seal of approval, writing: “Welcome to Manchester United angel di maria. #excited.”
