Man Utd ridiculed as Di Maria admits he didn't want to move
Argentine winger apologises to Real Madrid and runs the gauntlet as United lose to MK Dons
Even Manchester United's silver lining is starting to look tarnished after record signing Angel di Maria, who arrived at Old Trafford hours before the Red Devils were humiliated by MK Dons, revealed that he never wanted to leave his former club Real Madrid.
In an open letter to fans in Spain, the £60m recruit said: "I have to go but I want to make clear that this was never my desire."
In The Guardian's translation of the letter he continued: "Like anyone who works, I've always wanted to progress. After winning La Decima [Real's 10th Champions League] I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a gesture from the board, which never arrived. Many things and many lies were told. Someone may not like me."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
He insisted that he was not motivated by money and hopes to find the "things that I value" at Manchester United. He also described United as "one of the biggest clubs in the world".
However, that status appeared to be under threat last night after defeat to lowly MK Dons. And the result prompted an outpouring of mockery on social media, much of it aimed at Di Maria, who is the record signing for a Premier League club.
But if the Argentine's letter hinted at misgivings over the move, fans on Twitter were rather less subtle.
And it wasn't just Di Maria who was taking flak. Unsurprisingly new manager Louis van Gaal was also singled out for abuse.
While others spared a thought for United's previous manager, the much maligned David Moyes.
But perhaps even more galling for United fans would have been the reaction of rivals like Man City striker Edin Dzeko, who responded to the result with a simple but effective tweet, which read, simply: "Hahahaha".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Moldova's pro-West president wins 2nd term
Speed Read Maia Sandu beat Alexandr Stoianoglo, despite suspicions of Russia meddling in the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
2024 race ends with swing state barnstorming
Speed Read Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rallies in battlegrounds over the weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated