Does injury end rumours of Di Maria’s move to Manchester United?

The injury that sent shockwaves for all people watching this summer’s World Cup was the damage Neymar sustained to his back. However, the absence of Angel di Maria for the rest of the World Cup will certainly be headline news in Argentina.

The Real Madrid winger was subbed off in his country’s win over Belgium in the quarter-final after tearing muscles in his right thigh when having a shot on goal.

The manager of Argentina, Alejandro Sabella, initially thought that Di Maria would be available for the semi-final, but scan results have shown that he will likely be absent for the rest of the World Cup, even if his country do reach the final. Given Argentina’s strength in depth, you would fancy them as favourites to win it still, but the odds for each country still in the World Cup might have improved following Di Maria’s injury.

Argentina fans won’t be the only ones disappointed to hear of the injury though, as Manchester United had been strongly linked with a £40m move for the winger last week. Real Madrid have apparently already lined up his replacement, Monaco’s James Rodriguez, but if Di Maria isn’t fit to pass a medical, he won’t be going anywhere.

“For now, I’m just thinking the World Cup,” Di Maria said when asked about his future. “We’ll see what happens with Madrid and if they want to continue. Honestly, I know that there are offers and interested clubs.”