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Cristiano Ronaldo helped Angel di Maria "greatly" in deciding to move to United from Real Madrid.

Di Maria will come face-to-face with Ronaldo on familiar turf when Argentina play Portugal in Tuesday night's international friendly at Old Trafford.

Despite a man-of-the-match performance in Real's triumphant Champions League final victory over Atletico Madrid in May, Di Maria became marginalised at the Bernabeu after the World Cup's top scorer James Rodriguez and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos arrived in Madrid.

City and Paris Saint-Germain's financial issues prevented them from making a move for Di Maria, and former Red Ronaldo advised the Argentine to capitalise on United's emergence.

"Before we knew I was coming to Manchester for sure, he told me it was a massive club and that I would be very happy here and it would be good for me," Di Maria said.

"At that time, we didn’t know for sure that I was coming or not, so we didn’t go into great detail, but what he did say helped me greatly to make my decision.

"It was a very big moment in my career," Di Maria added.

"Leaving a club like Real and coming to as big a club as Manchester United makes you grow as a player and helps you progress in your career.

"It was a very important moment and I’m really happy here. Let’s hope things go well for me so I can be here for many years.”

Di Maria, who completed a British-record £59.7m transfer to Old Trafford in mid-August, joined Real the year after Ronaldo's world-record £80m switch from United and the duo formed a strong bond.

Although Real are currently top of La Liga, they lost two of their opening league matches as Xabi Alonso, who left for Bayern Munich, and Di Maria impressed elsewhere.

"If I was in charge, maybe I would have done things differently," Ronaldo lamented in September.

More recently, Ronaldo said: "Angel has had an unbelievable impact on United already.

"He is a fantastic player and is going to be amazing for them in the future.

"You have already seen with his attacking play and goals that he will be a big star for them.

"I have been in touch with Angel a few times since he joined United. He is my friend and we have sent text messages and spoken.

"United is one of the biggest and best clubs in the world and I know Angel will be a big player there too.

"I was so happy at Manchester United and so will Angel be. I am supporting him and wishing him the best."

Di Maria has inherited Ronaldo's No.7 shirt and scored three and assisted five in nine United appearances.