Angel di Maria Wanted to Join Paris Saint Germain Over Manchester United

Angel di Maria commitment to Manchester United faces scrutiny just over a week into his Old Trafford career after Paris Saint Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claimed the Argentina international originally wanted to move to the Ligue 1 champions.

Di Maria signed a five-year deal after agreeing a £59.7m move to United last week and made his debut in the 0-0 draw with Burnley.

Real Madrid's signing of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos was set to limit Di Maria's appearances during the current season, leading to him desiring a move away from the Bernabeu, but prior to joining United, PSG say the 26 year old wanted a move to the French capital.

"Di Maria wanted to come to Paris but even without FFP [Financial Fair Play], we wouldn't have signed him," he told LeParisien.

"I do not know if Michel Platini wants to kill French football, but FFP is not fair," he added. "It is very difficult to understand. The big clubs stay big and small clubs remain small.

"We respect the rules but want to discuss it with Uefa in October to try to change the rules a little. Otherwise investors will not come in football; they will go to other sports such as Formula 1."

PSG were fined and saw their transfer spending capped in May for breaching Uefa's financial fair play regulations and this summer were notably quiet in the transfer market in only signing David Luiz and Serge Aurier.

United meanwhile were the biggest spending club in Europe during the transfer window as they acquired seven new players, including Di Maria who became British football's most expensive signing after moving from Madrid.

Despite fears over his commitment to United, who are yet to win any of their first four games of the season after failing to qualify for this season's Champions League, Di Maria claimed the 20-time English league champions were the only club he would leave Real for.

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United," he said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.

"Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top – where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started."