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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
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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.”
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