Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria will fly in this lunchtime to undergo a medical ahead of his British record £63.9m move to Manchester United.

The transfer fee agreed between the two clubs for the Argentina international eclipses the £50m Chelsea paid Liverpool for striker Fernando Torres three years ago.

In his post-match interview after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Super Sunday, manager Louis van Gaal declined to comment on speculation that Di Maria’s signing was imminent.

“The club has to announce it,” he told Sky Sports. “When we are thinking it is the right time for a transfer, then we come to you and say ‘OK, we have that player or the other player’. But at this time we cannot say anything.”

When asked if Di Maria is a player he would like to sign, Van Gaal confirmed he is but added: “I like Messi also and I like Vidal also so we have a lot of players in this world that I like but they cannot come always to Manchester United.”

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was quiet on the potential transfer of Angel Di Maria and says his side lacked creativity in the 1-1 draw at Sunderla

Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports football pundit Gary Neville told Sky Sports after United’s draw with Sunderland that he felt Di Maria was a good fit for Van Gaal’s side.

“It’s good business,” he said. “United have lost their negotiation strength but they just need to get the right players. This one is.

"He'll get pace into the game and get from box to box. He’s the right signing. You could argue they need other players in other areas but they definitely need a wide player.”

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Sunday the player had come to the club’s training base to bid farewell to his team-mates and the club’s staff.

"Di Maria has not trained with us and he came in to say goodbye to the players and people at the club," Ancelotti said.

Former Manchester United player Dwight Yorke says Angel Di Maria would be a great signing for the club.

"The decision is his and the club has done what it could to keep him here but he thought differently and so good luck to him.

“I am very happy with the work that he has done for Madrid but we have the chance to replace him well.

"We are thankful for what he has done at this club. There is nothing official yet but it is being sorted out.”

Football agent James Featherstone told Sky Sports News HQ on Monday that he expects more players to follow Di Maria to Old Trafford.



“I think they’ll certainly be looking to add to the squad,” he said.

“It’s out there in the public domain that Louis van Gaal’s had some time with the squad now and he’ll look to add and complement the squad where he thinks appropriate.

“It’s a difficult time to add and obviously for Manchester United it’s been played out publicly for the last 12/24 months about their squad, so I’m sure they’ll be very patient they’ll only do it if the situation is correct to bring in players of the right quality for Manchester United.”

i do think he is not a player Mancheste United need right now,

I used to be a Madrid fan, literally until now.

Have we ever had a football club in all of history which would actually get rid of one of its very best players because he was not handsome enough, not marketable enough and didn't sell enough T-Shirts with his name on it? Or a football club which, after a hugely successful campaign, would unsettle it's world-class senior players by bringing in new and unnecessary players who aren't even better? Have we ever had a football club president who seemed to be obsessed with players he doesn't have, and neglects the players he does have? Have we ever had a football team where the president forces the coach to field good-looking and marketable players instead of the outstanding and in-form footballers, even if this means that the team will play badly and lose? Have we ever had a football club whose main objective is to stick to a business model of having a high turnover of big-name players?

Welcome to the circus which is Real Madrid, perhaps better known as F.C. Hollywood. I cannot believe I was a fan of this nonsense for so long.