Di Maria departure a 'big loss' says Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has accepted that the sale of Di Maria has been a “big loss” for his team while dropping hints of requiring a new signing as his replacement at the same time.
The Argentine completed his move to Paris Saint German on Thursday for a reported fee of £46m after a disappointing single season at the Old Trafford. Following a record-breaking 59.7m move from Real Madrid, the 27-year-old never looked to have settled in England which prompted a switch to France putting an end to the long saga of transfer speculations.
And van Gaal, who has recognised the need to replace the former winger, believes that his team requires more attacking, fast and creative attacking players in his squad.
Van Gaal believes Di Maria leaving was the only solution to his problem
Addressing the situation in today’s press conference, the former Netherlands coach said, “Di Maria, we have solved that problem but it is for us a big loss,"
"When I say I want more attackers with speed and creativity, Di Maria is one of those players so we have to look for those kinds of players."
In a total of 27 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils last season, Di Maria managed to score only on three occasions. Although the former Real Madrid man had a good start to his career in the Premier League, his form dropped as the season progressed and he eventually lost his place in the starting lineup after he was sent off in March's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
"He started very well," he added. "That is not the problem. He had a very good start. He knows the answer better than I know but it happens and then there is only one solution, what he has done.”
"Of course they [players from abroad] have to have the talent to cope with the English rhythm and that is difficult to find.
"That is mostly also why players are not having success in this competition because of the rhythm of the game.
"The English culture is another culture from the Latin culture. You never know. As a manager you never know."
With the departure of Di Maria, United will be looking to enhance their pursue of FC Barcelona winger Pedro who has been strongly linked with the 20-time Premier League champions. The Spanish international, who has a release clause of £22 million, has slowly fallen down the pecking order at Catalonia and van Gaal has identified him as his primary target.