United only option for Di Maria, but where will he slot in?

Angel di Maria said Manchester United were the only club he would have left Real Madrid for after the Red Devils smashed the British transfer record to sign the Argentine.

United confirmed the signing of Di Maria yesterday after he completed a medical.

United have paid £59.7 million (€75m) for the former Benfica player, who has signed a five-year contract with his new club.

The fee eclipses the previous British transfer record of £50m (€63m), which Chelsea paid for Fernando Torres in 2011.

It also exceeds the £37.1m (€46.6m) sum United paid for Juan Mata in January.

Di Maria said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.

“Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top — where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started.”

The 26-year-old, who cost Real around £28m (€35m) when they signed him from Benfica in 2010, is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world.

“Angel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent,” said van Gaal.

“He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence. His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team.”

The Argentinian won the man of the match award for his role in Real Madrid’s victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final last season.

The £71m (€89m) summer signing of James Rodriguez lessened Di Maria’s chances of first-team football at the Bernabeu, however, and Madrid decided to cash in on the player, whose value increased following a successful World Cup in Brazil, where he helped Argentina reach the final.

It will be interesting to see how Van Gaal attempts to slot Di Maria into his starting XI. There seems no natural place for Di Maria in the 3-4-1-2 formation Van Gaal has used since he took over at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has a plethora of options for the number 10 role, so Di Maria could be converted into a striker, or he could be deployed deeper in midfield.

Another alternative is switching United to a 4-3-3 system with Di Maria as one of the front three, with Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie — among others — vying for the two remaining places.

United’s summer spending total now stands at over £130m (€163m) following the signing of Di Maria.

There may be more to come while a host of departures are also expected before the window shuts.

Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Anderson are among a long list of names with question marks hanging over their futures.