Di Maria wants out

MANCHESTER United’s pursuit of Argentina star Angel Di Maria is likely to gain momentum after the player handed in a transfer request to Real Madrid.

Di Maria is concerned he will struggle to get regular first-team football at the Bernabeu and is said to fancy a move to England.

Di Maria’s Real team-mate Sami Khedira could also be England-bound after he was put up for sale by the Spanish giants.

Meanwhile, United are preparing for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League match at Sunderland with criticism of their opening-day display against Swansea still fresh. Louis Van Gaal’s first league match in charge of United ended in a 2-1 home defeat and the Dutch hardliner will demand a reaction on Wearside.