Angel Di Maria Writes Open Letter to Manchester United After PSG Transfer

Angel Di Maria has penned an open letter to Manchester United in an attempt to salve the fury at Old Trafford following his £44.3 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

United supporters were left incensed by the manner in which the winger departed, but Di Maria has apologised to "glorious Manchester United" and their fans, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

"

To Manchester United: I write this note to thank all the Manchester United family for the great support received during the year I've been part of this Club. When Manchester United chose me as part of their team I felt extremely honoured because I knew what this Club means and how it trusted me.

Nevertheless, I'm aware things didn't work as we all expected and believe me, I feel really sorry about it. However in the career of a football player sometimes the unexpected and unwanted may happen. I can guarantee you it was not for trying. I did my best but football is not like maths: often a lot of things out of our control affect the way we feel and the way things turn out. I am sorry it did not work out as I would have wished in this amazing huge club.

"

The Argentina international is correct in asserting that star names and major clubs don't always marry well, with his tenure in England being a prime example.

Di Maria arrived at the club from Real Madrid on a wave of excitement, but a single season in the Premier League resulted in a £15 million loss for United. Di Maria added:

"

I want to give special thanks to all the Directors and Management of Manchester United as well as to every member of the staff and colleagues as they gave me all their support. Also a special mention to all the fans who always trusted me and showed me their respect and love. Now is time to move to PSG but the Glorious Manchester United Club will be forever in my memory!

"

PSG were heavily linked with the 27-year-old prior to his Manchester United switch, but it's supposed the Ligue 1 champions were unable to facilitate the deal last year under certain spending restraints.

Financial Fair Play restrictions meant Laurent Blanc's side couldn't complete a move for the attacker last year, but the Telegraph confirmed those limitations had been lifted in July.

Upon being announced as a PSG player on Thursday, Di Maria confirmed the French giants had gone after him in the past, adding United were very open to selling, per the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan:

"If I am here it was because they wanted to sell me, first of all. The president (Nasser Al Khelaifi) tried to sign me several times and I want to thank him again for his desire. One of the factors that made me come here was my friendship with (Ezequiel Lavezzi)."

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

Despite the financial loss Manchester United have had to accept, manager Louis van Gaal now has three weeks to go about finding a replacement for Di Maria, should he deem one necessary.

The club has already brought in Memphis Depay to strengthen their attack this summer, while the additions of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger promise to substantially galvanise their core.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson has dissected why Di Maria struggled so severely in the English top flight, assessing where he sits among the Premier League's biggest flops:

Those at Old Trafford may accept Di Maria's last words to the club as adequate apology, while others may still lust after what could have been had the South American managed to recapture his Real Madrid form in English football.

The Guardian's Daniel Harris acknowledged a leap across leagues may mean Di Maria's Manchester disappointment wasn't all his fault, adding that he wasn't suited to the physicality of the Premier League:

It's become a familiar debate in football: Is it better to persevere with an unsatisfied player and hope for the best, or should one cut ties while they can in the hopes of securing something superior?

Di Maria's PSG exit will see Manchester United opt for the latter this summer and his former Old Trafford supporters can only hope his memory is replaced by silverware success in the season to come.