MAN CITY TARGET WANTS TO PLAY FOR UNITED!
Di Maria was close to joining Arsenal
Manchester City target Angel di Maria has a dark secret – he’s a diehard Manchester United fan.
The News of the World revealed on Sunday that the Eastlands side want the highly-rated Benfica midfielder in January to replace Robinho.
Chelsea and Liverpool are also reported to be interested in the 21-year-old, who will cost a bank-busting £36million.
But the player admits he has his heart set on a dream move to Old Trafford.
He said: “Since I was 13 or 14 years old, I’ve been telling my mother and my father that my dream is to play some day for Manchester United.
“And I won’t stop till I get it.
“When I watch [Wayne] Rooney and all of them on TV, I can’t wait to play there at Old Trafford.
“When I was a little boy I watched Arsenal games as well, but Manchester United always dazzled me most.”
Di Maria was on the verge of signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2007 but the move fell through when the Gunners failed to come up with the transfer fee.
He said: I don’t know exactly what happened with my proposed transfer to Arsenal.
“I was very excited about joining them but it never happened.
“From what I’ve been told, the transfer money that was supposed to appear, never appeared.
“And just a day-and-a-half later, Benfica heard about the problem, showed interested in me and quickly hired me.
“I didn’t have any doubts about signing and I do not regret joining one of the top three teams in Portugal.
“But I am sure that Arsene Wenger would have had a lot to teach me.”
The Argentina international has been in sensational form for Benfica this season and was outstanding in the Portuguese side’s Europa League double over Everton.
And he admits his success is down to following the example set by countryman Carlos Tevez.
He said: “I have known Carlos since I was in the Argentina Under-20s side and he was in the national team.
“I identify myself with him closely as a player.
“For example, at times when I have not been scoring many for Benfica, I watch him and see that Carlos doesn’t get exasperated when it happens.
“And then he ends up scoring.
“I think that I’ll follow in his footsteps in the sense that I will have his positive attitude and I’ll score goals."
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This article has 4 comments
Apart from his talent Di Maria has tough mental attitude that allows him to outcompete almost everyone in critical matches. Just like Maradona and Redondo he can elavate his game when the pressure is so high and most players are hiding from the ball. He is also is very smart and patient.
There is one aspect of his game where he needs to balance. Early in his career he was very efficient in front of the goal; he was always scoring the few chances he had, eg. against Nigeria in the Olympic, second goal against Holland. He was hungry and wanted to score. In the second and third year at Benfica with him creating so many goals for his team mates he is losing that killer instinct in front of the goal. Di Maria needs to attack the goal every three assists he makes and try to score. Great players always take the ball and score. Maradona, Jordon. How many times do they miss? many more.
Like Maradona, and Redondo, he would be the best of what he does if he balances his assists with his earlier killer instinct in front of the goal. At Benfica he may be making every body better but he shouldn't be doing that at the expense of him losing his killer instinct in front of the goal.
United would be lucky to develop his talent.
By Diriye.. Posted November 17 2009 at 8:25 PM.
DI MARIA PART ONE
I've watched this player for quite some time and I believe he would be a great signing for any club in the world though I think he still has a lot more game in him than what he's already shown. He has to be dealt with patience like when ronaldo came to ManUtd so he can establish himself as one of the world's best players. I don't believe he'll make a tremendous impact at his first premiership season, but afterwards I have no doubts he'll be seen as a much better player than robinho and one of the biggest stars of the Great Sport worldwide. (continues..)
By Phillipe Morus.. Posted November 17 2009 at 2:04 PM.
DI MARIA PART TWO
If not, just look at what he's acheived already at Argentina's national team . This still very young player left his mark at every game he played, outshining Messi who's about to be considered the World's best player. Maradona´s left with no more words to describe how important Di Maria is to Argentina and I share his opinion. I think he may well be one of the biggest surprises at South Africa as he was during the Olympic Games where he was decisive in gaining the title.
Anyway, if I were Di Maria, I'd think twice about a possible move to City right now - or to any other club that's not one of the world's biggest. The World Cup is coming and after South Africa, 36 million may be an absolute bargain. If he moves during this transfer window, he'll be leaving to any club that's desperate enough to pay this young player's expensive clause as well as a higher wage right now - and during winter's time that usually applies to rich clubs with bad results. After South Africa, we may well be able to chose any club in the world, from ManUtd or Chelsea to Real Madrid or Barcelona (Italian football would be a bad choice for him for his game needs speed and space).
Anyway, "bravo" to Di Maria and best luck to Manchester City as well.
By Phil Morus.. Posted November 17 2009 at 2:05 PM.
Listen boy,i love u to come to chelsea and meet those talented players like-Lampard,The great Drogba an so on.I KNOW u will be treated like a king.
By idris.. Posted November 17 2009 at 1:33 PM.