• Premier League

Rooney's hunger is incomparable, says shocked Di Maria

ESPN staff
January 7, 2015
Angel Di Maria has been impressed by Wayne Rooney's desire © Getty Images
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Manchester United forward Angel Di Maria has praised captain Wayne Rooney, saying his competitive nature is "incomparable".

Rooney was handed the captain's armband by Louis van Gaal in the summer after he took charge, with former skipper Nemanja Vidic having left to join Inter Milan on a free transfer.

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And Di Maria, signed from Real Madrid for £59.7 million on transfer deadline day in September, admitted the England international had shocked him.

"Rooney is an impressive player," he said in an interview with South America's Radio America as reported by the Manchester Evening News. "He has this quality, mentality and this hunger to play every game that is incomparable.

"He plays 90 minutes in every game. He is always committed, giving everything in every match.

"It is he that has surprised me the most, with his hunger and how he commits to every game. He is a player that deserves to be here."

Di Maria scored his first goal for United in three months on Sunday, the second in a 2-0 FA Cup win at Yeovil Town. It was the winger's first substitute appearance after missing six of their previous seven fixtures with hamstring and pelvic problems.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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