Florentino Perez: Angel Di Maria's Wage Demands Forced Real Madrid to Let Him Leave

Florentino Perez has revealed that Real Madrid allowed Angel Di Maria to leave after the winger asked for an improved contract.

The Argentine international was an integral part of Carlo Ancelotti's side as the Spanish capital club lifted the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. Di Maria played a crucial role in helping Real win the La Decima.

The 26-year-old completed his move to Manchester United in the final week of the transfer window for a British record fee of £59.7m.

The ten-time European champions also allowed Xabi Alonso to leave Santiago Bernabeu and have spent £63m on James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas and United striker Javier Hernandez on-loan.

A number of Real fans have voiced their anger and urged the club president to step down from his post following the sale of Di Maria and Alonso.

However, Perez has now backed the decision to allow the star to leave the La Liga giants.

"Di Maria is gone because we could not reach agreement [over a new contract]. Xabi Alonso desperately wanted to leave," Perez explained.

"Players that are leaving are doing so based on our criteria because the interest of the players does not correspond with those of the club. In any case we will always be the best so one player doesn't really come into it," the Real president added.

Meanwhile, Di Maria had a good start to his United career as he was awarded the Man of the Match during Louis van Gaal side's 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

The former Real star scored one and had an assist to his name on his Old Trafford debut.

United defender Rafael da Silva has heaped praise on Di Maria for his impressive skills in the training session before the weekend league fixture against Leicester City.

"Today, I would have to say it has been Angel Di Maria. We played 10 against 8 and he scored a great goal and he was really good," Rafael told United's official website.