Manchester United have officially confirmed the magnificent signing of Real Madrid’s Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria for a British record transfer fee of £53.9-7m. The record signing previously held by Chelsea, when they signed Fernando Torres £50m from Liverpool. So Manchester United can compete!
The top 5 Biggest British Football Transfers.
Angel di Maria; Real Madrid to Manchester United £59.7m.
Fernando Torres Liverpool to Chelsea £50m.
Mesut Ozil Real Madrid to Arsenal £42.4m.
Sergio Aguero Altletico Madrid to Manchester City £38m.
Juan Mata Chelsea to Manchester United £37.1m.
Di Maria is the most expensive player ever to leave Spain.
Manchester United’s spending in 2014, £173m.
Some Key Facts on Angel Di Maria:
1988; Born February 14th Rosario, Argentina.
2005; Di Maria made his senior debut for his local club Rosario Central at the age of 17 years joining the club as a youngster and working his way through the youth system.
Di Maria displaying his early striking prowess, netting 6 goals in 35 appearances.
2007; At the age of 19 years old he was a key member of the Argentina squad which won the FIFA under 20 World Cup in Canada. Benfica had been monitoring him and duly signed him moving to Portugal soon after. He went on to make 76 appearances for the Portuguese giants bagging 7 goals and one League Title with Benfica.
2008; Promoted to the full Argentina team he made is debut against South American rivals Paraguay.
2010; Scored his first hat-trick in Portugal against Leixoses in Liga, Benfica winning the Portuguese league that season.
He played a pivotal role again for Argentina during the World Cup in South Africa reaching the quarter-final of the tournament.
2011; Having transferred to Los Blancos he assisted Manchester United’s ex No 7 Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the only goal of the match, Real Madrid winning 1-0 to beat Barcelona in winning the Copa del Rey competition.
Di Maria was also shown a red card in that particular final, in extra time.
2012; Angel di Maria had a pivotal role in the Spanish capital giants in winning the La Liga title in 2012.
He secured a lengthy contract extension at the Santiago Bernabeu that retained him till 2018. Further silverware that year also winning the Spanish Super Cup, beating fierce rivals Barcelona over the two legs.
2014; A second Copa del Rey title in April registering another victory against Barcelona.
Di Maria was instrumental in beating Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final after extra time, aiding Real Madrid to record their 10 victory in the premier European competition. Di Maria was named man of the match!
2014; DI Maria’s World Cup in Brazil, was brought to a unfortunate halt at the quarter-final stage, his national team went on to the final, to lose at the hands of Germany.
August 24; Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti advised that Angel Di Maria had said his farewells to his team mates prior to his transfer to Manchester United.
Gary Neville, United legend had this to say on Angel Di Maria, “He can run and Manchester United haven’t got any pace in wide areas, it is incredible. That is what the club has been built on for the last 10 to 15 years – being able to get from box to box quickly, being able to spring on teams, having people that can dribble and are quick in the final third.”
Red Nev further explained “Last years signings didn’t fit the bill for me in terms of what United are and the philosophy. This fits the bill if they can get Di Maria. The fans say a central midfielder or a centre-back is needed more, I don’t see any difference with a winger in that they need all three. This is the first part of that – the correct signing, if they can get him.”
Angel di Maria played in 124 games in La Liga;
Scored 22 goals;
United’s new No 7 made 49 assists;
Pass accuracy 77%;
Cross accuracy 22%.
Welcome to Manchester United Angel di Maria, another step for Manchester United in our road to recovery.
Welcome once again 2 da theatre of drmz. Di maria deserve jersey no 7.