Twitter Reacts as Thiago Silva Claims PSG Are 'Step Up' from Manchester United

Angel Di Maria's stay in England looks to have reached an unsatisfactory conclusion, as Manchester United are reported to have agreed a transfer fee with Paris Saint-Germain (as per the Guardian).

Despite seeing a significant drop in his professional reputation and a reduction of approximately £15 million on his transfer value, it certainly isn't all bad news for the Argentinean: For starters, his new teammate Thiago Silva believes he is taking a "step up" by leaving Old Trafford for the nouveau riche Parisians: 

Suffice it to say, the Brazilian defender's comments caused something of a stir on Twitter. Many reacted with incredulity:

"

Thiago Silva "PSG are a bigger club than Manchester United". https://t.co/ekZFvNCSep

— Manchester Utd Stats (@UtdNumbers) August 3, 2015"

"

Your reaction when you hear Thiago Silva reckons PSG are bigger than Man United. pic.twitter.com/g5un3XSXjC

— Glasgow Devil★ (@glesgabhoy71) August 3, 2015"

"

U Mad Thiago Silva? pic.twitter.com/uV856EGCpC

— Troll Football (@Troll__Football) August 3, 2015"

The numbers certainly don't seem to support Silva's claim: 

Many fans were keen to point out that there are individuals in the Red Devils' past and present who have achieved more success than his Ligue 1 outfit:

PSG's status as new kids on the block on home soil was also stressed:

And there was no shortage of mockery of PSG's domestic success: 

Understandably, Manchester United fans were displeased by the Brazilian's comments: 

The Old Trafford faithful reacted with a mixture of anger, disbelief and sarcasm:

Inevitably, references were made to that night in Belo Horizonte last summer when a suspended Silva watched one of the most shocking sporting implosions of all time: 

To be fair to the 30-year-old defender, he is obliged to toe the party line for his employer and he was undoubtedly referring to PSG's current status in the game, rather than their less impressive historical pedigree. Accordingly, many jumped to his defence: 

"

Embrassing when people misunderstand what thiago Silva is saying. He is saying psg are better ATM not a bigger club and to not agree is ...

— @kudz (@_Kudz) August 3, 2015"

Ultimately, Silva has ruffled a lot of Mancunian feathers and drawn ridicule upon himself, but his comments were borne out of awareness that PSG are a growing force who went further than any English side in the Champions League last season. Can't we just leave him be?  

No? OK, then. As you were, Manchester United fans...