Manchester United sign Di Maria in British-record deal
Manchester United announced on Tuesday that they have signed Argentina winger Angel di Maria from Real Madrid for a British-record transfer fee of £59.7 million (S$123.4 million).
The 26-year-old’s move, on a five-year contract, shatters the previous British-record fee of £50 million paid by Chelsea to sign Spain striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool in 2011.
United manager Louis van Gaal said: “Angel is a world-class midfielder, but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent.
“He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United,” Di Maria said.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.
“Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top – where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started.”
Which is music to the ears of suffering United fans considering their latest lost to third division side MK Dons in the second round of the League Cup.
We present some of Di Maria's highlights to underline why United splashed so much cash for the Argentine ace.
His goal scoring abilities:
His injury time goal against Switzerland during the World Cup. Source: Tumblr
His dribbling:
He made Puyol do the split!. Source: Tumblr
We don't know what move this is, but it worked. Source: Tumblr
He assists:
His rabona assist for Cristiano Ronaldo during Real's Champions League game in 2013. Tumblr
Another rabona assist. Source: Giphy.
No wonder United captain Wayne Rooney is excited at the prospect of playing with Di Maria.
Source: AFP, Tumblr. Giphy
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