Van Gaal unsure of Di Maria whereabouts as Blanc says deal is 'close to an end'

The Manchester United boss says he does not know where the Argentina international is, while his Paris Saint-Germain counterpart insists a deal is almost done

Louis van Gaal has admitted he does not know where Manchester United’s record signing Angel Di Maria is, with the Argentine’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain edging towards a conclusion.

Di Maria failed to report back for pre-season training as planned on July 25, with Van Gaal confirming he had not boarded a plane to meet his team-mates in San Jose as planned.

And after United went down 2-0 to PSG in a pre-season game in Chicago on Wednesday night, the Dutchman claimed to have no idea of his player’s whereabouts, while his opposite number Laurent Blanc revealed that talks are at an advanced stage.

“I don’t know where he is,” Van Gaal admitted to a press conference after the International Champions Cup clash at Soldier Field, but Blanc was able to shed more light on the 27-year-old’s situation.

“Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are two big clubs, and negotiations can be difficult but we are close to an end,” confirmed the Frenchman.

Di Maria moved to Old Trafford in a £59.7 million move from Real Madrid in August 2014, but struggled to fully adapt after a promising start and made only 20 starts in the Premier League last season.