Angel Di Maria misses Man Utd flight with PSG 'hopeful' of switch
Monday 27 July 2015 08:35, UK
Angel Di Maria failed to join the Man Utd squad on their US tour on Saturday, with Laurent Blanc "hopeful" of bringing him to PSG.
Di Maria, who is set to join PSG within 48 hours in a £46.5m deal according to reports in several of Sunday's newspapers, was due to meet up with his United team-mates in San Jose.
But the British record signing – he cost United £59.7m when he joined them from Real Madrid last year – did not catch his plane to California.
"No," said United manager Louis van Gaal when asked if the 27-year-old Argentina winger had flown to San Jose.
"I have heard he is not on the plane. I cannot say anything. He was not on the plane."
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PSG coach Blanc indicated a deal for Di Maria could be close after his side lost to Chelsea on penalties in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The former France coach was initially cagey when asked about the situation, saying: "I have no official news. PSG are looking for an offensive player. Will it be Di Maria? I hope so."
Pushed further, he added: "He (Di Maria) will surely come to the United States, but with which team? He plays for Manchester United at the moment and I hope that if that changes, it will be that he comes to us. We have to have patience a little longer.
"It's not easy, between two big clubs. The outcome is very close, in my opinion."
Di Maria’s fellow Argentine Marcos Rojo, who had been also been given extended leave following the Copa America, was another United player who did not make it to the US for Saturday's 3-1 win over Barcelona in Santa Clara.
The only person who reported for duty who was supposed to was striker Javier Hernandez, who was playing for Mexico in the Gold Cup.
"Marcos Rojo was also not on the plane. He had passport issues," Van Gaal added.
"That I do know. But for Di Maria I do not know why. Javier Hernandez is here."
