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Angel Di Maria has opened up about his ill-fated stint at Manchester United, revealing that a mix of tactical conflicts and personal hardships made him come to “hate” his time at Old Trafford. Despite joining as a British-record signing and inheriting the legendary No.7 jersey, the Argentine star’s Premier League career lasted only one disappointing season.

The Van Gaal Effect and Tactical Clashes

At the heart of Di Maria’s struggles in Manchester was his deteriorating relationship with then-manager Louis van Gaal. What began as a promising move quickly soured as the winger found himself frustrated by the Dutch coach’s strict and methodical approach.

“Things started really well,” Di Maria told BBC Sport. “Everything was going smoothly. Then I began having issues with Van Gaal, and from that point, everything started to collapse.”

The Argentine explained that Van Gaal’s relentless criticism wore him down. “As I said, I started very well. Everything was perfect. But then we began having countless meetings about everything I was doing wrong on the pitch. He never showed me what I was doing right, only the negatives, again and again. Eventually, I got tired of it,” he recalled.

Personal Trauma and Harsh Weather

Life off the pitch was equally difficult. Di Maria’s time in England was overshadowed by a terrifying attempted burglary at his home in Cheshire while his family was inside. This traumatic event, combined with the gloomy weather and cultural adjustment, made the experience unbearable for him. “Life there was very different. It gets dark really early, and then came the cold. Everything started piling up. There was also the break-in at my house,” Di Maria said.

He added that while he also faced a robbery incident during his time with Paris Saint-Germain, the lifestyle in France made it easier to cope. “I got robbed in Paris too, but I stayed there for another two or three years because life was good. In Manchester, everything just kept getting worse. I wanted to put my family first, and that’s why I decided to leave,” he explained, underlining how personal issues amplified his professional frustrations.

A Family Struggling to Adjust

Di Maria’s wife, Jorgelina Cardoso, has also been outspoken about their unpleasant experience in Manchester. Reflecting on the move, she admitted she was against it from the beginning: “I didn’t like it at all. People there are strange. You walk down the street, and you don’t know if someone is going to attack you. The food is awful. The women look like porcelain dolls. Angel and I were in Madrid, playing for the best team in the world, with perfect food, perfect weather—everything was perfect. Then came United’s offer.”

No Regrets Despite the Difficulties

By March, Van Gaal began leaving Di Maria out of the starting lineup following a red card in an FA Cup match against Arsenal and several minor injuries. When the season ended, Di Maria was determined to leave. He even skipped the club’s pre-season tour to force a move to Paris Saint-Germain. “He said I never showed up [for pre-season], but I had already informed the club that I wanted to leave and wasn’t going to return,” Di Maria clarified.

Despite the disappointment, Di Maria maintains he doesn’t regret joining Manchester United. “When it comes to the Premier League, the atmosphere, and life at the club, honestly, I was left with a really good feeling because there were great people inside the club who always treated me well, supported me, and helped me with everything. For that, I’m grateful,” he concluded.