Angel di Maria docked two-weeks wages over 'no-show'
Angel Di Maria has received a fine for failing to join the Manchester United squad for their pre-season tour ahead of his expected move to Paris Saint-Germain. The midfielder, who is currently earning £180,000-a-week, had two weeks worth of wages docked for his indiscipline and is reportedly on the verge of completing a £44 million transfer away from Old Trafford.
Di Maria was afforded an extended break due to his Copa America stint with the Argentine national side recently and was expected to rejoin the squad in the United States last week. But he failed to turn up after missing his flight from Argentina and Louis van Gaal admitted earlier this week that he had ‘no idea’ where the player was.
The former Premier League champions were mocked about the winger’s situation when wanted posters featuring his picture started appearing across Manchester.
The 25-year-old had a miserable year at Manchester United since joining from Real Madrid on a £59.7m transfer as injuries and inconsistent form led to him losing his place to Ashley Young in the starting lineup. Louis van Gaal does not see him as part of his plans this season, and the Argentine’s recent behaviour will not have changed the manager’s stance on him.
United will be looking to reclaim most of their investment on the British-record signing and have earmarked Pedro as his replacement, with the Barcelona winger currently unsettled at the Camp Nou. Barcelona are reluctant to sell Pedro this summer despite not being able to offer him regular first-team football, because they view him as a back-up to their deadly trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez.
The Catalans are not likely to sell the 2010 World Cup winner until after the UEFA Super Cup tie against Sevilla due to fears over the lack of match fitness of Lionel Messi and Neymar, as both players are have only recently joined up with the squad after the 2015 Copa America.
Luiz is looking forward to Di Maria reunion
Paris Saint Germain coach Laurent Blanc and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been praising Di Maria in recent press conferences and his former Benfica teammate David Luiz has also followed the same trend, expressing his eagerness to play with his former Benfica teammate again.
“He is a great friend, a great player. Every single team he plays in he makes the difference.” said Luiz, according to BBC.
“I played with him in Benfica when he was just 70 kilos. It’s great to see how much he has improved, how he has become a fantastic player. It would be a pleasure to play with him again.”