Angel di Maria, the Paris Saint-Germain winger, expected to be given a hostile reception by Manchester United supporters on his return to Old Trafford.
Di Maria played in Manchester for the first time since his £59.7m move from Real Madrid failed four years ago and was booed from his very first touch by the home crowd.The Argentina international responded by assisting Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappé to hand PSG a commanding 2-0 first-leg lead in their Champions League last-16 tie.
“It was difficult from the opening minute but I knew this was going to happen,” he told Cadena Cope after the final whistle.
“But I’ve said it in the past and I reiterate it: I never spoke badly of the people here and of this club. These are things that happen and people took it badly. I only had problems with the coach [Louis van Gaal] here.”
Reports in France on Wednesday suggested that Di Maria could be punished for his celebration of Kimpembe’s goal, which may be deemed to have contravened Article 15 of Uefa’s disciplinary regulations.