adminANGEL DI MARIA has arrived in Qatar for his medical ahead of his proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain from Manchester United.
Di Maria, 27, was photographed after flying to Doha, where he is set to seal his exit from Old Trafford.
The former Real Madrid player, who is the most expensive signing in the history of British football, will reportedly cost the French champions €63 million (£44.3m).
United paid £59.7m for Di Maria in August last year but the man of the match in the 2014 Champions League final endured a difficult season at Old Trafford.
He failed to score a league goal after October, lost his place following his sending off against Arsenal in the FA Cup in March and only began one of United’s final 10 matches of a campaign in which he also struggled with injury.
Di Maria was due to join up with United in California on July 25 but failed to board his flight and manager Louis van Gaal subsequently declared he did not know where the player was.
Paris Saint-Germain were interested in Di Maria last summer but could not agree a transfer fee, with their ability to spend heavily restricted due to their failure to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play regulations.
United are interested in Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez as they seek a replacement for Di Maria, and Van Gaal talked up the Spain international’s qualities at the weekend.
Di Maria provided more assists than anyone in Europe’s major leagues in his final season in Madrid but only Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla managed more than his tally of 10 in the Premier League last season. Remarkable given that he started only 20 matches.
Di Maria assisted a Premier League goal every 164 minutes, a record bettered only by Fabregas, and created 2.85 chances per game – down from 3.41 in his last year at Real but still an impressive testament to his ability to make things happen.
And yet, Di Maria’s off-the-cuff style didn’t necessarily mesh well with Van Gaal’s demands. The Dutchman is famed for challenging players and there is a long history of younger charges embracing his approach more enthusiastically than those who’ve already achieved it all.
There were key moments when Di Maria fell short. The methodical Van Gaal showed signs of becoming discouraged by his unreliability after a draw at West Ham in February and a defensively irresponsible FA Cup performance against Arsenal tested his patience further.
“He can’t say he’s had a marvellous season here,” said Van Gaal. “You’ve to adapt to our philosophy and that’s also difficult for him, probably. Di Maria has to adapt to the English rhythm of the game. That’s a high standard and a big difference with other countries.”
Not that the United boss can be exempt from blame. It was the 63-year-old who agreed to such an expensive signing and by his own admission that brings an element of responsibility. “You can’t give a lot of money for a player and next season put him out of your selection.”
There were times when Di Maria was not used as effectively as he could have been. The penetrative runs from deep that Neville had so anticipated weren’t possible when played in an advanced role – notably against Southampton when he was left stranded up the field.
For that reason, Di Maria’s departure is a frustration for United fans. Van Gaal could not find the answers, and yet the player’s ability was never in question. Few will be surprised if he succeeds at Paris St Germain. And that only increases the pressure on United without him. — Sky Sports
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu