Angel di Maria: I had to leave Manchester United... I didn't get on with Louis van Gaal

• Angel di Maria arrived at Manchester United for a British record £60m
• Argentina international was sold to PSG after only a single season
• Di Maria admits he had a difficult relationship with Louis van Gaal
• He puts Zlatan Ibrahimovic in same class as Cristiano Ronaldo

By Pa Reporter

Published: 05:32 EST, 14 September 2015 | Updated: 11:29 EST, 14 September 2015

Angel di Maria has revealed the problems he faced during his ill-fated spell in the Premier League - with former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal chief among them.

The Argentina international arrived at Old Trafford for a British record £60million but survived only a single season after enduring an attempted burglary at his home and the breakdown of his relationship with the manager.

Di Maria completed a £44.3million move to Paris Saint Germain in the summer before admitting he was unable to adapt to England for several reasons. 

Angel di Maria has lifted the lid on his reasons for leaving Manchester United to join Paris Saint-Germain

The Argentina winger arrived for a British record transfer before leaving for PSG after only a season

'Honestly, we were not happy. At the beginning, we were a little happy but then things got complicated,' he said.

'Life in England was difficult and it isn't easy for a South American. Some people adapt, but for others it is harder.'

Di Maria also admits he had a difficult relationship with United's Dutch coach while his family became unsettled when their house in Prestbury, Cheshire, was burgled in February.

'I didn't get on very well with the coach,' he said. 'So I believe the decision to join Paris was the best solution.

'After the break-in it wasn't reasonable to stay. My family wasn't happy, my daughter was suffering, so it was important to leave.

The 27-year-old claims a breakdown in his relationship with manager Louis van Gaal was partly to blame

Di Maria suffered an alarming dip in form after an attempted burglary at his home in Manchester

'At the end of the season when I left to play in the Copa America I made the decision [to leave], and I saw there was the possibility to join PSG.

'I could have joined them a year earlier before I moved to Manchester but it didn't happen. But I think my destiny was to go to Paris.

'From what I've seen so far, our life here in France is more like the life we led in Spain or Portugal. And at the moment, we are 100 per cent satisfied.'

Di Maria has been dazzled by the talent PSG has, especially that of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

'I have been fortunate enough to play with (Argentina's) Leo (Messi), with (Real Madrid's) Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (United's Wayne) Rooney, and now Ibra,' he said. 'I'm really impressed by his technical quality and his movement.

'He is on the same level as Leo and Cristiano.'

Di Maria has been dazzled by the array of talent at the Ligue 1 champions, especially Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The former Real Madrid star puts Ibrahimovic in the same bracket as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old, who started for the first time for PSG in Friday's Ligue 1 clash with Bordeaux, a game that ended in a 2-2 draw, is expected to be included in the line-up for his side's Champions League Group A opener against Malmo at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

'It was tough for me last season as I didn't play much and it was difficult watching the Champions League on TV after I had won it the season before with Madrid,' he said in an interview with Le Parisien.

'It's a magnificent competition and on Tuesday I will feel the same emotions I've had ever since I played my first [Champions League] match for Benfica.' 

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