Di Maria Relishes Physiciality

Angel di Maria claims he relishes the physicality of the Premier League despite his slim stature.

And Manchester United's new star winger says he has already clicked on the field with strike-partners Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

United's £59.7million record-signing from Real Madrid was voted the club's player of the month for September by fans and has been a consistent threat in attack.

The 26-year-old Argentina international admits however that United have to start achieving better results, and he has backed himself to continue his good start despite the differences with the La Liga.

Di Maria said: "It's a more physical aggressive style of football here, strength comes into play a lot more.

“Players here are a lot more powerful and show their strength a lot more, it's another league but it's all about settling in as quickly as possible.

"There have been other players of a similar build and stature to myself, slim if you like, who have come here and shown a physical resilience in the way that I hope to as well.

"The main thing though is I am very, very happy to be here, it's a league I have always wanted to play in and I'm overjoyed to be playing here at Manchester United now and I hope it's going to be for a long time."

Di Maria said he felt privileged to be playing alongside Rooney and van Persie, but that their immediate understanding on the pitch needed to be converted into results.

"It's special," he said. "When you start playing you are aware of names like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, you have seen them playing and know what great players they are.

“So it's fantastic to have a chance to line up with them I'm really pleased with how that understanding has started off. I think it has started well and it's now about converting that understanding into goals and points as quickly as possible.

"I am reasonably happy with the start certainly. It is never easy when you are somewhere for the first time and are settling in to a new type of football but things have gone very, very well.

"I think I've settled in, I've got used to the style of play, the club in general and my team-mates. What we have to strive for now is a series of good results."

Di Maria did his interview via a translator but has already started taking English lessons, though the fact he speaks only Spanish and Italian has not been a problem in the dressing room.

He said: "I've started taking classes, we have a teacher coming in and I try speaking English to him. You have to want to do it.

"But not only does the manager speak Spanish but one or two of the backroom staff as well and some of the players too so the messages get across."