Spanish Press Bemoan Angel Di Maria Move From Real Madrid To Manchester United

The Spanish press have expressed their disappointment over Real Madrid's decision to sell Angel Di Maria to Manchester United, claiming that despite the extraordinary transfer fee he will bring in the Champions League winners will miss the Argentinian.

Although no deal has been confirmed yet reports claim the clubs have already reached a £64m agreement while Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the midfielder's departure on Sunday.

Nobody in Spain questions the magnitude of the deal in terms its economic impact but many believe the Spanish club are making a huge error in football terms – as Di Maria was a crucial asset in Ancelotti's squad.

Indeed, while Catalan newspapers Sport and Mundo Deportivo – who have traditionally supported Barcelona – have seen the move as a huge boost for Barcelona in their challenge to regain the La Liga crown, reports in Madrid suggest the Champions League winners will regret their decision.

Daily AS head editor, Alfredo Relaño, wrote in his daily column: "Real Madrid says that Di María left because he wanted to. But he wanted to leave because Real signed Gareth Bale to occupy his position and, after he had adapted to another area of the pitch with customary application and great success, James Rodríguez was brought to the club."

"He is an extraordinary player, the star of the Champions League final, and if he wanted to leave it is because this Real Madrid was conceived from the neon lights and not footballing logic. It is a Madrid with an irrational agenda, who possess enough money to unite Cristiano Ronaldo and Bale and to give Karim Benzema a pay rise. But there is no money to retain the services of Di María, who doesn't sell shirts."

Meanwhile Marca reporter Amalio Moratalla added both Real Madrid and Di Maria will eventually miss each other even though he suggested Manchester United are guilty of overpaying for the Argentine.

"They will miss each other. You'll see. Once again money has ruined a balance that seemed perfect at Real Madrid. I think no one will be eventually satisfied with this movement, but in the mean time this is the most expensive sale in the history of Real Madrid and Di Maria gets the huge salary he wanted."

At the same time El Pais reminds all that Di Maria was the most creative outlet in La Liga last season and claims he was the only Real Madrid player who can be compared with Barcelona star Lionel Messi in stats.

"Di Maria was the player whom gave Real Madrid a tactical balance and the best assistant in all competitions last year (22), ahead of Gareth Bale (16) and Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke (15). Since his arrival at Real Madrid he is the only player that endures the comparison to Lionel Messi."

Meanwhile Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone recently claimed Di Maria was Real Madrid's best player ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo while in the last week a number of polls in the Spanish press have revealed that the supporters are also unhappy over Real Madrid's decision.