Manchester United's 10 Worst Premier League Signings

#8 Angel Di Maria

Manchester United v Arsenal - FA Cup Quarter Final

Some of the players featured in this article are here on their own merits – as in they were absolutely shocking during their time at Manchester United – while others are here for reasons not necessarily down to themselves. Enter, Angel Di Maria.

The Argentinian is still one of the very best attacking players in the world to this day, but his time at Old Trafford is one that was quite frankly miserable; miserable to watch, miserable for him, and clearly miserable for his manager at the time, Louis van Gaal.

United actually broke the British transfer record when they signed Di Maria from Real Madrid for a hefty £60 million pound, with van Gaal lamenting how the Red Devils desperately needed a quick, direct player who could run with the ball. Given how his pace, directness, and dribbling ability were all at the highest level, you’d think Di Maria would be the perfect solution to van Gaal’s problem. Only he wasn’t, because the former Ajax and FC Bayern chief then decided to stifle Di Maria’s creativity and discourage him from running with the ball. Odd? Sure. But then van Gaal’s time in the Old Trafford dugout was one often filled with odd decisions.

After just a solitary season at United, Di Maria was sold to Paris St-Germain for a reported £44 million. Still only 30 years of age, the Argentine is continuing to prove to be a top quality player for the Ligue 1 Champions. And while he is rightly viewed as one of the worst signings in Manchester United history, you can’t help but feel sorry for the player given the restrictions forced upon him by van Gaal.