Van Gaal: Di Maria Wanted To Play

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed he played Angel di Maria in midweek to help his state of mind after he was the target of an attempted break-in at his home.

Reports emerged this week that Di Maria and his family were at home in Cheshire last Saturday night when their property became the target of an attempted break-in.

The perpetrators apparently fled empty-handed after failing to smash through a patio door but Di Maria's family are thought to have relocated to a hotel following the terrifying incident.

Van Gaal felt he had a duty of care towards the family to give Di Maria some time off but the Argentina international played in Tuesday's FA Cup fourth-round replay against Cambridge at his own insistence.

Van Gaal said: "I believe in the total human being principle, so his environment is also important. He was worried about his wife and child.

"I spoke with him and he wanted to play against Cambridge United and I played him. I have decided in the past that I will never play a player in those circumstances, because of the total human being principle.

"But with him I had the feeling that I had to give him a chance to play and I was happy that I let him play. He played very well. And, of course, I have to decide Sunday again, but when you have seen his performance against Cambridge, I don't think I have any doubt."