Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hit back at former United midfielder Angel di Maria’s claims that he was unable to settle due to not playing in a fixed position.
In an interview with the BBC, Di Maria claimed that the Dutchman shifted him around too often, and that was one of the main reasons that he decided to leave for French champions Paris Saint-Germain just a season after arriving at Old Trafford.
However, Van Gaal has fired back at Di Maria, accusing the 28-year-old of refusing to take responsibility for his performances during his disappointing spell with United.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference ahead of United’s Premier League clash against Everton on Sunday, the United boss said:
I have never seen [many] players who look at themselves, who look to the way they have performed. It is always the fault of the manager.
So he is one of the players who are in a row of players who have no self-criticism. Unfortunately, it is my life as a manager. It is always like that.
The Argentinian international had a good start to life at Old Trafford, winning the player of the month and goal of the month awards in September 2014, but it all went south after that as he failed to rediscover the form that helped Real Madrid to their tenth Champions League title the previous season.
Since leaving Manchester, Di Maria has found his form again, scoring 13 times in 37 appearances in all competitions for PSG as they romped to the French title in record time. The Parisians are also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, where they will face Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Van Gaal has endured a topsy-turvy season with United, with the Dutchman on the verge of being sacked during the Christmas period. He survived, and the Reds are still in contention for that final Champions League spot in the Premier League table.
Comments.
Loading comments…