Rio: Di Maria will regret Man Utd exit
Angel Di Maria will regret his failure to make a success of his career at Old Trafford, according to former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
The 27-year-old is closing in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain with the Argentine reportedly set to undergo a medical in Doha, Qatar.
Di Maria, 27, was viewed as a key signing for United boss Louis van Gaal when he gave the green light to a club-record £59.7 million deal to bring the winger to Old Trafford last summer, but one season of indifferent performances look likely to be his legacy in the Premier League.
Six-time Premier League winner Ferdinand told ESPN FC at the launch of BT Sport’s Premier League coverage in London that he will lament his solitary season as a United player.
“He will now always have on his CV that he was a failure at Man United,” Ferdinand said. “As a professional, I wouldn’t want something like that on my record. If I could rectify it by staying and trying to prove myself, I would have done that.
“As a fan, I would have liked for him to stay there and prove he can perform for Man United. That is what we all wanted to see when the club paid so much for him last summer, but that isn’t happening, it seems.
“I can understand why some fans are disappointed that he is leaving so soon, but this is a business. United may have looked at it this summer and Van Gaal has probably come to the conclusion that he doesn’t fit into his system for whatever reason. At that point, you have to cash in.”
Former United centre-back Ferdinand also suggested that his former club should swoop for Everton’s John Stones in the final weeks of the transfer window, as he believes the capture of a central defender is crucial to their hopes of success this season.
United have tried and failed in bids for Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels and Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos in recent weeks, but Ferdinand suggests they should consider making a move to sign Stones, who has been the subject of a bid from Premier League champions Chelsea.
“I reckon Man United should buy John Stones,” Ferdinand said. “You’re buying someone who’s going to give you 10 years’ service. It’s a no-brainer. The price is expensive, but he is English and a great prospect.
“He is at that stage of his career where he needs to play games and I reckon he would be picked every week if he joined United.
“I don’t think he would play every week if he went to Chelsea, so United is the right club for him.”
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