Angel Di Maria: Man Utd record buy wants to win 'many trophies'
- Published
Man United: Angel Di Maria fits my philosophy - Van Gaal
Record signing Angel Di Maria says he has joined Manchester United to help return them to the Champions League and "win many trophies".
The Argentine winger joined United from Real Madrid for a British record transfer fee of £59.7m on Tuesday.
Di Maria, 26, said he wants to help United become "an important team once again, to win many trophies with them".
United coach Louis van Gaal said he hopes for more signings before Monday's transfer deadline.
BBC Sport's Ben Smith at Old Trafford |
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"The lasting impression of that news conference was the obvious pride and delight that was written across Louis van Gaal's face throughout. He spoke at the start to reiterate that his new £60m signing must be a team player and with every answer Di Maria echoed that sentiment. Di Maria said he had spoken to Cristiano Ronaldo about the significance of the number seven shirt and the impression he gave out was that he was very much revelling in his role as Britain's most expensive footballer." |
Di Maria could make his debut on Saturday against newly promoted Burnley in the Premier League.
He added: "I like the team and I wanted to come here even though they're not playing in the Champions League. I want to help the team get into the Champions League. I'm pleased with the manager for choosing me to come to Manchester United."
Di Maria will wear the number seven jersey, previously worn by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Di Maria was man of the match in Real Madrid's Champions League final win against Atletico Madrid in May
United have taken just one point from a potential six in the Premier League so far and were knocked out of the Capital One Cup after a 4-0 defeat by League One side MK Dons on Tuesday.
Van Gaal told a news conference at Old Trafford: "I hope Di Maria shall give us good results but we cannot expect after two days training that he is the miracle."
Manchester United sign Angel Di Maria for British record £59.7m
"We have to look at the future and we're doing that now with Manchester United by restoring and rebuilding a new team and that costs time," he added.
"Di Maria fits in our philosophy and I can change the system with him and maybe we will do that in the future, maybe in a match. At Real Madrid he didn't only play as a winger but also in midfield so that is also a reason why we are convinced he shall succeed."
The Old Trafford club have now spent £131.7m since last season, having bought left-back Luke Shaw, midfielder Ander Herrera and Di Maria's Argentina team-mate Marcos Rojo for a combined £72m this summer.
Speaking about the transfer deadline, Van Gaal added: "The club will announce when the time's there. Players will leave, others will come."
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