Former Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria has spoken candidly about his time at the club under Louis van Gaal, revealing a 'hateful' atmosphere and a deep-seated dislike for the organisation. The Argentine international made the comments in an interview, recalling the breakdown in relationships that led to a toxic environment at Old Trafford.
'I hated the club, I hated the people, I hated everything,' Di Maria said, as reported by The Guardian. 'It was a very difficult time for me.' The 34-year-old arrived at Manchester United in 2014 for a then-world record transfer fee of £59.7m, but his time at the club was marked by a series of controversies and disagreements with Van Gaal.
Di Maria also spoke about a burglary at his home in 2016, which added to his Manchester United woes. However, despite the difficulties he faced, the player has no regrets about his time at the club. 'I don't regret anything,' Di Maria said. 'I think I learned a lot from that experience.'
Di Maria was a key player for Manchester United during his time at the club, scoring 29 goals in 127 appearances. Despite his struggles under Van Gaal, he remains a fan favourite at Old Trafford and a respected figure in the football world.
'I think I was a good player, I think I did my best,' Di Maria said. 'I'm proud of what I achieved at Manchester United.'
The comments from Di Maria come as Manchester United continue to rebuild under new manager Erik ten Hag. The club is looking to the future, with a number of young players being given opportunities to impress. Whether Di Maria's comments will have any impact on the club's progress remains to be seen.