Di Maria ‘no show’ adds fuel to rumours of PSG move

“I would prefer to stay closer to home”, said the Barcelona manager, who now takes his team to Washington DC to face Chelsea.

“That is because we have to build him up. Of course a coach would like to see somebody like him but there is nothing official at this moment”.

Manchester United striker James Wilson hopes to impress Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal during pre-season and convince the Dutchman he can compete with Wayne Rooney.

While we saw that Darmian didn’t have the stats to match Antonio Valencia when the players were compared on their performances last season, the Italian has looked better in the team and looks more in tune with the playing style of United.

Defender Marcos Rojo also didn’t make it as planned but was listed on the roster. He had passport issues.

But they were all due to report for duty on July 25 and that still remains the case despite speculation a deal for Di Maria is nearly done.

“I’m not answering questions about transfers or the transfer process”, van Gaal said, adding only that Di Maria would play no part in United’s friendly with Barcelona on Saturday.

“He has shown his quality”, van Gaal said.

Barcelona, missing superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar after their exertions in the Copa America, were left ruing a series of chances which hit the woodwork.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal heaped praise on unsettled goalkeeper David De Gea after the Spaniard returned from injury to thwart Barcelona.

Van Gaal changed his entire team after 62 minutes, with Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj finding their way on to the scoresheet. “Now Rooney is there”, Van Gaal told reporters in a news conference.

“But it is not good for Manchester United, it is not good for the player and it is not good for me”.

Ibrahimovic, 33, has been linked with a number of European clubs tin recent weeks following an injury-hit season past year.

“They have always a threat and that’s very important”, Van Gaal said.

Man United responded quickly, however, and Adnan Januzaj rounded out the scoring on a counter attack one minute later. The PSG hitman scored 30 goals last season for the French champions and 41 goals the season before.

The goal boosted United and they grew in confidence, with Memphis Depay’s movement and interplay again catching the eye for United.