Manchester United

Louis van Gaal: 'Angel di Maria will have to adapt'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 26 August 2014

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal stresses that new signing Angel di Maria will need to adapt to English football if he is to be a success.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has insisted that new signing Angel di Maria will have to adapt to life in England if he is to be a success at the club.

The Red Devils broke the club record and British record transfer fee for the Argentine international, bringing him to Old Trafford on a five-year deal for a fee of just under £60m.

Van Gaal is confident that the 26-year-old will have an impact at the club, but stressed that he would first need to get accustomed to English football.

"I think he shall contribute very much in our way of playing. He is a creative player. I can change the system with Di Maria because he can play on the wing and midfield," Van Gaal told reporters.

"He can contribute and that is very important. But we don't have to expect that from tomorrow the world has been changed, he has to adapt to the culture of England, the culture of the Premier League and the philosophy of Manchester United."

Van Gaal is still looking for his first win in charge of his new club following this evening's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of League One side MK Dons.