Angel di Maria has said his motivation to join Manchester United was not to do with money and insisted he truly wanted the move to happen.

This month Carlo Ancelotti told the Spanish press that Di Maria’s move to United was to do with the money and that his wage demands were what stopped a deal being agreed with Real Madrid.

Having joined as a club record signing in the summer there were a lot of expectations on Di Maria’s performances but he has exceeded them, a feeling which is mutual from the Argentinian as he feels the club has gone beyond his own expectations so far.

“I have these amazing feelings about having moved to Man United,” he said.

“I’m so proud of myself, you know. It’s hard to explain it and put it in words. I truly wanted to move to United. I wanted to wear this shirt.

“And it is so nice for me to wear the No.7 shirt. It was worn by some of the greatest players in the club’s history and I do know that it is a huge thing for all Man United fans.

“I think people here are happy with me. So I must honour this shirt. I must confess that I had all these expectations – but Man U have exceeded my expectations. It has all been perfect for me so far.”

Di Maria’s final ball let him down against Chelsea yesterday but it was his run which won the free-kick from which Robin van Persie lashed home United’s equaliser.

To be fair, so long as Di Maria plays the way he has done this season, it really doesn’t matter what motivated him to join United. What matters now is that he’s a red and knows it: