• Premier League

Ronaldo inspired me to join United, says Di Maria

Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a successful spell as Real Madrid team-mates © Getty Images

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Angel Di Maria has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo played a key role in his decision to join Manchester United.

The pair were team-mates at Real Madrid and Di Maria, who moved to Old Trafford for a British-record £59.7 million this summer, revealed how former United star Ronaldo had praised his old club during their time together.

"Before we knew I was coming to Manchester, he told me it's a massive club, I would be very happy here and it would be good for me" Di Maria said.

"At that time we didn't know for sure that I was coming or not, so we didn't go into great detail, but what he did say helped me greatly to make my decision."

Upon his arrival in Manchester, Di Maria was handed the No.7 shirt made famous by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and, most recently, Ronaldo, who scored 118 goals in almost 292 appearances for United.

After an impressive start to his Premier League career, Di Maria has described the shirt as a "source of inspiration" that has helped him to score three goals in his first five games for United.

"When you wear a shirt that's been worn by the likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, it's something you're always going to be pleased about," Di Maria said.

"The fact that the club have chosen to give me that shirt number also gives me a huge confidence boost, so that's why I'm very happy to have this number."

Ronaldo himself has been heavily linked with a return to Old Trafford, with reports suggesting the forward was left unhappy by Di Maria's departure from the Bernabeu. A deal was even thought to have been put together ahead of a summer 2015 transfer, but Ronaldo's agent has since poured cold water on the idea of the player returning to the Premier League.

Di Maria also paid tribute to new manager Louis van Gaal, who has been tasked with returning the club to the Champions League after they missed out on qualification with a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

"I'm very grateful to him because he wanted to sign me," Di Maria added. "That makes me happy. Also, he's a person who wants to win all the time, and to take the club back into the Champions League as quickly as possible, so the focus is very much on that. In every training session and every match we want to give 100%."

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