Manchester United were only able to sign Angel di Maria this summer for a club-record fee because the speedy attacker was “too ugly” for Real Madrid, according to one Barcelona legend.
Carles Rexach was speaking to Catalan broadcaster Regio7, an interview relayed by the Daily Express, when he claimed that the Argentina international did not fit the bill for Santiago Bernabeu president Florentino Perez’s latest ‘Galctico’ project.
Louis van Gaal welcomed Di Maria into his squad after Manchester United agreed to pay just below £60million for him. And Rexach believes Real Madrid were happy to sell, so would likely have been delighted with such a large fee.
“Florentino Perez looks at the world market and wants a team of 'Galacticos' for everyone to admire. [Vicente] Del Bosque and Di Maria are too ugly for Real Madrid. They are different from Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez,” he said.
“Do you understand what I mean? [Cristiano] Ronaldo is the flagship of the club. Perez is selling an international brand.”
Madrid Mistake?
There is plenty of beauty about Di Maria’s football when he is on song, but so far in his Manchester United career those moments have been far too rare. However, that does not mean Perez’s decision to sell him was the correct one.
Van Gaal admitted he had to sub the winger at half-time of the won over Sunderland over the weekend because he is currently being crippled by low confidence and poor form. But once he gets settled into the rhythm of Premier League football he will be a huge asset to the Dutch manager.
James Rodriguez is a stylish footballer but he has nothing on Di Maria when the former Benfica star is on his best form. Quicker, a better dribbler and a better left foot, Di Maria is coming into his prime and Manchester United can build a new dynasty around him.
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