Manchester United midfielder Angel Di Maria arrived at the club from Real Madrid in August, but says he's dreaming of a return to Rosario Central. anchester United splashed the cash this summer, bringing the likes of Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Radamel Falcao to Old Trafford, but their marquee signing of the summer came with the arrival of £60m midfielder Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid. Di Maria, 26, had established himself as one of the top midfielders in the world during his time with Real Madrid, proving that he wasn't just a one dimensional winger with speed and a great left foot, but that he also had the energy, drive and determination to be a force in central midfield too. The Argentine international has grown so much from the player that arrived at Benfica back in 2007. Then just 19, Di Maria had impressed for Rosario Central and with the Argentina Under-20 side before the Portuguese giants paid just €8m to bring him to the Estadio Da Luz, and their faith was repaid with outstanding displays and an eventual deal which totalled €36m when they sold him to Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti's men made even more profit on him with his blockbuster £60m switch to Old Trafford, and whilst he's made a great start to life under Louis van Gaal, he's already suggested that he - along with two of his Argentina team mates - have made plans to head to Rosario Central at some point in their careers. "I have talked to Pocho (Ezequiel Lavezzi) and Masche (Javier Mascherano) about the possibility of us all going back to Argentina with Central, in the future," admitted Di Maria. "For everyone else, it’s a dream for them to come play in Europe, but for me, my dream is to go back to Argentina and play for Central." Di Maria, born in Rosario, joined his boyhood club at the age of just four, meaning he spent 15 years with his hometown club before make an emotional exit. During his time in the youth setup there, he played alongside now-Paris Saint-Germain forward Lavezzi, and the possibility of a return for both players at some point in the future makes almost too much sense given their allegiance to their hometown club.

• published: 29 Sep 2014
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