Angel Di Maria revealed the part played by Cristiano Ronaldo in his summer transfer to Manchester United.
The midfielder has made himself right at home at Old Trafford since completing a British record transfer from Real Madrid, scoring three goals in five matches already, and the Argentina international admitted Ronaldo and his kind words for Manchester United was one of the reasons behind his decision to move to the English Premier League club.
"Before we knew I was coming to Manchester, he told me it's a massive club, I would be very happy here and it would be good for me," Di Maria said of his conversation with Ronaldo to the club's official website.
"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."
Di Maria already looks like he has been playing for Manchester United for several seasons, such has been the comfort and ease with which he has fit into the team, and the 26-year-old is looking forward to carrying on the tradition of the great Manchester United number 7s, with his former Real Madrid teammate Ronaldo being one of them who wore that number with such great distinction.
"When you wear a shirt that's been worn by the likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, it's something you're always going to be pleased about," added Di Maria.
"The fact that the club have chosen to give me that shirt number also gives me a huge confidence boost, so that's why I'm very happy to have this number."
While Ronaldo did his bit to entice Di Maria to join Manchester United, when it became clear his time at Real Madrid was over, another major factor in his decision was the current manager Louis Van Gaal, who has been there and done it all with some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
"We get on very well, he was one of the reasons I came here," said the Argentine. "I'm very grateful to him because he wanted to sign me. That makes me happy.
"Also, he's a person who wants to win all the time, and to take the club back into the Champions League as quickly as possible, so the focus is very much on that. In every training session and every match we want to give 100 percent.
"The sessions are different because here football is a lot more competitive, so you feel the physical aspects and the contact more.
"As a result you need to be 100 percent fit all the time and ready for anything. I really like that. I like it when the manager takes games, and when we do work on finishing or freekicks. It motivates you to train harder."
