Manchester United player Angel Di Maria has said that former Old Trafford hero and close friend Cristiano Ronaldo played a pivotal role in his decision to join the English club this summer.
The Argentine international partnered up with the Portuguese forward at Real Madrid in the summer of 2010 after he moved to the La Liga side from Benfica. During their four years together at the Santiago Bernabeu, the duo developed a close bond and helped the Spanish club lift its 10th Champions League trophy last year, before Di Maria became a part of Louis van Gaal’s outfit in a £59.7 million deal in August.
But the 26-year-old, who will face Ronaldo when Argentina takes on Portugal in an international friendly tonight, reveals that the former Red Devil had nothing but praise for his old club and insists that his words convinced him to leave the Whites and move to England.
“Before we knew I was coming to Manchester for sure, he told me it was a massive club and that I would be very happy here and it would be good for me”, the former Benfica play-maker was quoted as saying by the club’s official website.
“At that time, we didn’t know for sure that I was coming or not, so we didn’t go into great detail, but what he did say helped me greatly to make my decision.”
Di Maria has since then made nine appearances for the Premier League club scoring on three occasions, but feels that leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s side was a big decision, one he does not regret making, and claims that he is happy with his life in Manchester.
“It was a very big moment in my career”, the player said.
“Leaving a club like Real and coming to as big a club as Manchester United makes you grow as a player and helps you progress in your career. It was a very important moment and I’m really happy here. Let’s hope things go well for me so I can be here for many years”, the midfielder added.
Di Maria will return to action for his club when Manchester United take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
