Former Manchester United winger Angel di Maria has taken a pop at his old club’s Champions League failings.
The Argentinian spent one season at Old Trafford where everything possible seemed to go wrong on and off the park.
United took a £15m hit when they sold the winger on to Paris St Germain where he has regained form and his appetite for the game.
Although the finances would have provided more than adaquate compensation when he moved to the north west of England di Maria has admitted that a season without Champions League football was painful after his starring role in Real’s memorable win over Atletico in the 2014 Lisbon final.
Asked by UEFA.com about his favourite Champions League match he replied: “My first match against Malmo, which was my first Champions League match with Paris, after a year out of the competition at Manchester United.
“Playing in the Champions League again was a tremendous joy and satisfaction. And I scored in my first match at the Parc de Princes, so that was very nice and very special.”
Di Maria is back in England to face Arsenal on Wednesday night with one player in Arsene Wenger’s side likely to get special attention from the French champions.
“Ozil is a top-quality player – his passing is very good, and he’s got some very quick players around him,” the PSG man added. “But we’re doing well in this Champions League. We’ve still got two more matches to play, and we have to keep on working. Our objective is to finish top of the group.”