Ten years ago, Manchester United made a statement signing by acquiring Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for a then-record £59.7m. The Argentine superstar was expected to form a deadly trio with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney. However, his time at Old Trafford was short-lived and disastrous, leading to a move to Paris Saint-Germain just a year later.
Di Maria's transfer to United was seen as a coup for Louis van Gaal, but it ultimately proved to be a failed experiment. The winger's style didn't mesh with Van Gaal's tactics, and he struggled to adapt to the Premier League. His departure from United was acrimonious, with Jose Mourinho, who would later become United's manager, criticizing Di Maria's work ethic.
Despite the failed stint at United, Di Maria doesn't regret his decision to join the club. In a recent interview, he acknowledged that his move hurt Mourinho, but he doesn't apologize for it. Di Maria's tenure at United may have been a disappointment, but he has since found success at PSG, winning multiple titles and establishing himself as one of the world's top players.
Di Maria's story serves as a reminder that even the biggest transfers can fail, but it's how players respond that defines their careers. While his time at United was a blip on his radar, Di Maria has proven himself to be a world-class talent, and his legacy won't be defined by one failed transfer.
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