Aside from some slight reservations over the £60 million fee, Man Utd fans were resoundingly jubilant after Angel Di Maria signed on the dotted line at Old Trafford on Tuesday. And they had good reason to be. The stats have been rolling around for quite a few days showing exactly what the former Real Madrid man could bring to United, none more impressive than this:
Ángel Di María registered more assists in 2014 alone (14) than any player from Europe's top 5 leagues managed in the entire season.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 26, 2014
While it's sure to do little to dampen the enthusiasm at Old Trafford, Di Maria has had some very interesting comments to make while saying his goodbyes to the Real Madrid fans. In an open letter published in Marca, Di Maria expressed his desire to make history at Old Trafford. However, without a doubt the most notable soundbite of the letter is Di Maria's revelation that he didn't want to leave Madrid.
Sadly the time has come for me to leave, but I would like to make it clear that it was never my wish. Like every person that works, I have always wanted to progress.
You can read the translated version here:
Dear Real Madrid fans, My time at Real Madrid has come to an end. It is impossible to capture all that I have lived here in just a few lines but this letter is to explain to you my feelings at this time of parting. In the four year that I have had the honour of wearing the shirt I have felt nothing but pride for everything that has occurred and that I have achieved together with my team mates.
Sadly the time has come for me to leave, but I would like to make it clear that it was never my wish. Like every person that works, I have always wanted to progress. After winning the tenth Champions League I went to the World Cup with the hopes of receiving a gesture from the board, something that never arrived. Much has been said and many lies have been told. There has been a desire all along to attribute to me a desire to leave the club, something that has never been the case. Unfortunately it would seem I am not the type of footballer that appeals to one person in particular. The only things I ever asked for is what I considered to be just and fair. There are many things that I value and many of them have nothing to do with my salary. I hope to find them at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world and one with which I hope I can make history.
I have had the good fortune to share a dressing room with some fantastic players who have been even more fantastic as companions. I believe that this was the key to winning the ‘decima’. I would like to apologise for the times that I made mistakes, both on and off the pitch. It was never my intention to harm anyone. I have sweated in this shirt playing every game as if it was my last. Sometimes things went well for me and other times they didn’t, but one thing I can assure you is that I always gave everything.
I want to thank Spain for everything it has given me and especially for allowing my daughter to be born in this country. And especially to the people at the Monteprincipe hospital that will always have a special place in my heart. My wife, my daughter and myself will always be eternally grateful. Also to my colleagues that always gave me their support, through good and bad times, and to the various technical members of staff that I worked with and to all those people I worked with at the club on a day to day basis and with who I will always maintain a great relationship.
I hope Real Madrid have a great season and achieve all the targets that this club always aims for. I will never forget the enormous show of affection shown to me when I came onto the pitch at the Bernabeu for the recent Supercopa match. Thinking about it still gives me goose bumps. I could not imagine a better farewell for what would unfortunately turn out to be my final game.
Hala Madrid, and until forever. Angel di Maria
Translation via Guillem Balague
