World Cup winner Ángel Di María has reflected on his troubled year at Manchester United, admitting his relationship with then-manager Louis van Gaal deteriorated soon after an encouraging beginning.
The Argentine arrived from Real Madrid in August 2014 for a British record fee of £59.7m, signing a five-year contract with the intention of helping United return to the top of English football. His opening weeks suggested the transfer could become a success, as he scored three times and supplied four assists in his first six appearances.
According to Di Maria, the positive momentum disappeared once Van Gaal began focusing heavily on perceived weaknesses in his performances. The former winger explained that repeated discussions about mistakes on the pitch gradually damaged his confidence and enjoyment at the club.
He stated that the Dutch coach rarely highlighted the things he was doing correctly and instead concentrated almost entirely on the negatives. Over time, frustration grew between the pair as Van Gaal experimented with him in several different roles across midfield and attack.
Problems on and off the pitch increased tensions
Van Gaal believed Di Maria was struggling to fulfil tactical instructions and therefore used him on either flank, as an attacking midfielder, and even deeper in midfield in an attempt to find his best position. The disagreements behind the scenes became more intense as results and performances declined.
Away from football, matters worsened after an attempted burglary at Di Maria’s home in Cheshire while he and his young family were inside the property. The incident added to the discomfort he was already experiencing while adapting to life in England.
The Argentine admitted that the combination of poor form, family concerns, and internal issues at the club made daily life increasingly difficult. He described the environment in Manchester as emotionally exhausting, explaining that the cold weather and short winter days only deepened his unhappiness.
Di Maria compared the experience to his later years in Paris, revealing that he remained in France for several seasons even after another robbery because he was content with life there. In Manchester, however, he felt every problem kept building on top of the previous one.
Van Gaal offered a different view of the transfer
The former Netherlands coach responded to Di Maria’s comments by insisting the signing had not been his own choice. Van Gaal maintained that the decision to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford was made by the club rather than by him personally.
Known for his strict tactical structure, Van Gaal explained that every player in his system had clearly defined responsibilities. He argued that despite trying Di Maria in numerous positions, he could not identify a role in which the player consistently delivered what was required.
By March of that season, Di Maria had started to lose his place in the starting line-up. Minor injuries and a sending-off against Arsenal in the FA Cup further complicated his campaign.
Once the season ended, the winger had already decided his future lay elsewhere. He skipped United’s pre-season tour of the United States and eventually completed a £44.3m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after remaining in Rosario while negotiations continued.
Family struggles played a major role in the departure
Di Maria stressed that his family’s unhappiness strongly influenced his decision to leave England after only one season. He explained that when football problems are combined with personal difficulties and insecurity at home, it becomes impossible to feel settled.
His wife, Jorgelina Cardoso, had previously spoken publicly about her dislike of Manchester during a 2022 interview with the Daily Mail. She recalled struggling with the lifestyle, weather, and overall atmosphere after moving from Madrid.
Cardoso revealed she had initially opposed the transfer from Spain, where the couple felt comfortable both professionally and personally. She said the change to life in England was extremely hard and described the experience as “horrible.”
Despite the difficult memories, Di Maria insisted he does not regret joining Manchester United. He spoke warmly about the support he received from people within the club and praised the atmosphere surrounding Premier League football and packed stadiums across England.
Di Maria still values the opportunity at United
Although his spell at Old Trafford ended badly, Di Maria admitted fulfilling a childhood dream by playing for Manchester United remained a special moment in his career. He recalled using the club while playing video games and later finding himself alongside players such as Wayne Rooney.
The Argentine also reflected on receiving United’s famous number seven shirt, a jersey previously worn by several club legends. While he understood the importance attached to the number, he explained that for him it remained simply another squad number, similar to the 22 he had worn in Madrid.
Even after the disappointing outcome, Di Maria said he still appreciated the support shown by staff members and supporters during his time in England. He maintained that moving to Old Trafford was a decision he genuinely wanted to make.