ANGEL DI MARIA admits he is uncomfortable at being left on the bench at Manchester United but insists he is not looking to leave Old Trafford.
The Argentina international made his final start of the Premier League season on March 4 as manager Louis van Gaal opted to play Juan Mata and Ashley Young ahead of him in wide areas. Despite that, the £59.7 million (€84m) signing from Real Madrid still managed to contribute three goals and 11 assists in the English top flight during his debut season with the Red Devils.
The 27-year-old feels it is difficult to explain why he found himself out of the team towards the end of the season.
When asked by Ole if he felt uncomfortable in Manchester, he said: “Yes. For me, and my family. Because not everything goes as I want, because I don’t play.
“Because I came with an intention and end up on the bench. It’s hard to tell how I feel there. I started well, with goals and assists. I was having a good time, until I was out. It’s a little hard to explain why I do not play.”
Di Maria’s omission from the starting XI has led to speculation he could leave the 20-time English champions amid reported interest from Barcelona and Bayern Munich. But the player himself does not want to walk away from the club after just one season and is hopeful he can answer his critics when the new campaign starts on 8 August.
“No [I will not leave], because I’m not thinking like that,” he insisted. “In Madrid there were times when I was whistled around the stadium but faced it and then it turned around. I like to deal with things.”
