Angel di Maria Never Wanted to Leave Real Madrid for Manchester United

Manchester United winger Angel di Maria's departure from Real Madrid is becoming increasingly acrimonious, after the Argentina winger claimed owner Florentino Perez forced him out of the Bernabeu.

Di Maria joined United for a British record £59.7m ($36.5m, €46m) during the summer transfer window, after Real signed James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos from Monaco and Bayern Munich respectively.

The 26 year-old has already hit out at Perez over his move to Manchester, after failing to agree a new contract. He now claims the Real chief attempted to block him playing in the World Cup final, before forcing his exit from the European Champions.

"There was a letter that arrived from Madrid at 11am on the day of the [World Cup final] game while I was in physio, trying to be the best I could be for the final, telling me to not play. I tore it up and ignored it, it made no difference," Di Maria told an Argentine radio station.

"I talked with Alejandro and it was his decision. I didn't want to pressure him. I knew I could have to come off after 15 minutes and leave the team, I didn't want that.

"I saw what he said," he added. "To be able to earn what Cristiano earns I would have had to have been the best player at the World Cup or won the Ballon d'Or. It looks like he [Perez] gave that offer to another person. I don't have a clue who he offered that to. I don't have much of a relationship with him. When I signed a new deal he wasn't there either.

"I never said I wanted to leave Real Madrid, I never wanted that, but you have to move when they don't want you. Let them say what they want about me, the millions they received for selling me will help the Real Madrid economy very well."

Though Di Maria kick-started his career with Manchester in the goalless draw with Burnley, the aftermath from his departure from Real continues to overshadow the start of his career in the Premier League.

Lopez: Di Maria was 'pushed out of Real'

The player's agent, Eugenio Lopez, is the latest figure to weigh in on the debate regarding Di Maria's move to United, claiming the player was pushed out of Real, despite not demanding to become the club's second-best paid player behind Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Before the World Cup there was no offer from Real Madrid," Lopez told Cadena COPE. "He never asked for €8m per year and would've stayed for much less, even though there was a club who offered more.

"The idea was to wait and come to an agreement with Real Madrid in order for him to stay. He wanted to earn what they promised him and he would've stayed for much less than Manchester United is paying him.

"He signed until 2018, but he wanted to improve his deal. Which is normal. They brought in Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez. That was a sign that something was wrong. But they didn't bring in James because Di Maria wanted to leave. They are very different players.

"We started to negotiate, but Real Madrid didn't budge. I'm speaking in reference of what Florentino Perez said. Ancelotti did everything he could to keep Di Maria.

"When they played Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa, the ovation from the crowd was tremendous. He's only a fan of Rosario Central, but he loves Real Madrid."