Reports: Angel Di Maria wants to stay at Old Trafford

Angel Di Maria has told boss Louis van Gaal he is happy to stay at Manchester United next term, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.

The £59.7million British record signing is in discussions about extending the lease on the city centre apartment he is renting.

Argentinian Di Maria was badly shaken in February, after his family were victims of an attempted gunpoint burglary at their £4m rented mansion in the Cheshire village of Prestbury, close to where skipper Wayne Rooney and several other Old Trafford stars live.

Di Maria was at home having dinner with his wife Jorgelina and daughter Mia, now two, when the armed thugs tried to break in.

The South American, signed from Real Madrid last summer, held discussions with Van Gaal and senior club officials after the incident amid fears he wanted to quit England.

Van Gaal recently refused to rule out allowing Di Maria to leave on compassionate grounds – but the star has told the club he is staying, despite only being a sub in yesterday’s title showdown with Chelsea.

The 27-year-old winger and his family have now settled into an apartment in central Manchester and are over their ordeal.

Di Maria has told friends it has been the toughest year of his career after also struggling with the physical demands and intensity of the Premier League.

The attacker has not scored a league goal since October 5, and his misery was compounded when he was sent off for pushing referee Michael Oliver in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat by Arsenal last month.

But despite being dropped Van Gaal has been impressed with his attitude, and is confident he will play a major role next season.