Angel Di Maria calls van Gaal the worst manager at Man United

Angel Di Maria has publicly criticized Louis van Gaal, labeling him the worst manager he has ever played for during an interview with ESPN Argentina. Di Maria, who joined Manchester United for £60 million from Real Madrid in 2014, struggled to perform at the club and left for Paris Saint-Germain the following year. His time at United was marked by difficulties, which he attributes largely to Van Gaal's management style. Van Gaal, who departed from United in 2016, has suggested that Di Maria's issues stemmed from his inability to cope with the pressures of the Premier League, stating that he played Di Maria in various attacking positions. In contrast, Di Maria highlighted the positive influence of other coaches in his career, naming current Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and former Leeds midfielder Alejandro Sabella as significant figures. He praised Scaloni for his effective management and connection with players, noting that Scaloni led Argentina to their third World Cup victory two years ago. Di Maria also expressed gratitude for the impact Sabella had on his development as a player. The contrasting experiences with Van Gaal and his other coaches illustrate the complexities of player-manager relationships in professional football. Di Maria's comments reflect a broader sentiment among players regarding the importance of managerial support and understanding in achieving success. Ultimately, Di Maria's reflections on his time at Manchester United reveal the challenges he faced and the lessons learned, as he continues to thrive in his career post-United.